Montreal and Toronto Target Quarterfinal Spots

The Canadian Open’s round of 16 will shape the tournament’s next phase, with the men’s draw in Montreal and the women’s draw in Toronto both set for a decisive weekend. By Sunday night, only eight players in each draw will still be alive for the title.

The schedule stretches across Saturday, August 8, and Sunday, August 9, with the strongest remaining contenders trying to protect their momentum while several surprise names try to extend theirs. For Canadian fans, the spotlight is especially bright on Leylah Fernandez and on the men’s field in Montreal, where the bracket has already been shaken up.

Weekend schedule and what is at stake

The fourth-round matches are split over two days, and the winners move directly into the quarterfinals on Monday, August 10, and Tuesday, August 11.

In Montreal, day sessions on the main court begin at 12:30 p.m., while night sessions start at 6:00 p.m.. Toronto follows a similar format, with afternoon play at 12:30 p.m. and evening matches at 7:00 p.m..

The official order of play is usually released the day before because match lengths and court usage can change the schedule.

• Saturday, August 8: round-of-16 action begins in both cities.
• Sunday, August 9: the remaining fourth-round matches are completed.
• Monday and Tuesday: quarterfinals decide who reaches the final four.

Montreal opens the men’s draw wide open

The men’s bracket has turned into a much more unpredictable event than many expected. Early exits from Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, Taylor Fritz, and Andrey Rublev removed several of the biggest names before the tournament reached its later stages.

Félix Auger-Aliassime’s withdrawal because of a back injury made the picture even more unusual. As a result, six of the top 10 seeds were already out before the second round ended.

That leaves Montreal with a rare kind of opportunity: a field that no longer looks controlled by the highest-ranked players. Several contenders now have a real path to the title if they can keep handling the pressure.

Who looks most dangerous now

Ben Shelton remains one of the clearest favorites. The defending champion started with a 6-3, 7-5 win over Jenson Brooksby, and his serving power fits the fast conditions in Montreal very well.

Casper Ruud is also firmly in the mix. He opened with a dominant 6-1, 6-2 victory over Juan Manuel Cerúndolo and brings enough hard-court experience to benefit from a draw that has already lost so many high seeds.

Tallon Griekspoor deserves serious attention after knocking out Zverev in a three-set comeback. Winning 6-7, 6-2, 6-4 against the top seed gives him both confidence and a major ranking boost in terms of belief.

Young names are taking advantage

Several younger players have used the chaos to make themselves impossible to ignore. Their results have added energy to a draw that has already lost much of its star hierarchy.

• João Fonseca produced one of the standout wins by defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in a tight match.
• Arthur Fils advanced with a three-set win over Zachary Svajda and continues to show the athleticism needed on this surface.
• Tallon Griekspoor is no longer just an upset story; he has already proven he can survive against elite opposition.

Fonseca, in particular, has the kind of heavy ball-striking that can trouble almost anyone when he settles in early. Fils brings a more complete all-court package, which can be a major advantage in longer matches. Both players now have a realistic shot at reaching the quarterfinal stage.

Toronto keeps the women’s field steady

The women’s tournament has followed a very different path. The leading names have mostly handled business, which means the bracket still features several of the players expected to go deep.

Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff, and Mirra Andreeva all won their opening matches and moved into the third round without major disruption.

That stability has made Toronto feel more predictable than Montreal, but the level of play remains high, and the coming matches should sharpen the title race quickly.

Sabalenka still sets the pace

Sabalenka remains the player everyone is chasing. The world No. 1 opened with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Moyuka Uchijima and extended her hard-court winning streak to 13 matches.

Her serve and first-strike power are especially well suited to Toronto’s quick courts. Another win would also help secure her hold on the top ranking after the tournament.

Rybakina, meanwhile, had to work harder. She beat Daria Kasatkina 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 in 2 hours and 33 minutes, finishing with 58 winners and 58 unforced errors. The numbers show why she can overwhelm opponents, but also why she can make matches far more complicated than necessary.

Gauff, Pegula, Andreeva, and Fernandez keep pressure on

Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula remain very much alive as title threats. Gauff beat qualifier Kayla Day 6-2, 7-5, relying on movement and defense to control the biggest points even when her level dipped.

Pegula had the harder opening test. After dropping the first set to Magdalena Frech, she responded with a clear surge and won 3-6, 6-3, 6-1. Her experience in Canada matters, especially after winning the event in both 2023 and 2024.

Mirra Andreeva may have delivered the most convincing performance of all. She overwhelmed former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova 6-0, 6-2 in just 54 minutes, showing how quickly she can dictate a match when her timing is sharp.

At 19, Andreeva already plays with unusual composure. Her ability to redirect rallies and limit errors gives her a style that translates well to hard courts.

Leylah Fernandez has become the last Canadian left in singles after defeating Renata Zarazúa 6-2, 6-2. She broke serve five times and only lost her own serve once, which was a strong sign of control in front of the home crowd.

Her next challenge is Elise Mertens, a steady and experienced opponent who can make matches physical. Fernandez will need to stay aggressive and look to take time away from her opponent if she wants to keep the Canadian run alive.

How to follow the action

Sportsnet and TVA Sports are carrying the tournament in Canada, with coverage from both Montreal and Toronto. Their digital platforms also provide streaming access for viewers following along away from the stadium.

Because match times can shift with long rallies, weather delays, or changes to the daily order, checking the official schedule before play begins is the safest way to avoid missing a key match.

This weekend should reveal whether Montreal’s open men’s bracket produces another surprise run or whether one of the established favorites reasserts control. In Toronto, the top seeds still look strong, but the margin for error is shrinking fast.

For Canadian supporters, Fernandez remains the central storyline. For everyone else, the next two days will show which contenders have the balance, stamina, and nerve to move one step closer to the title.