The biggest Canadian outdoor event in the women’s Road to the NBO is getting underway at the W75 Granby, while the men begin the first of two ATP Challengers at the Granby National Bank Championships.
W75
The women’s event in Granby could be the separator in a tight Road to the NBO race, with four points between first and third. Katherine Sebov was the prior leader but, with the Toronto-native not a part of the draw, Kayla Cross overtook her as of the first round.
No. 3 seed Cross had a difficult opening match, needing to come back from a set down against Canadian wildcard Annabelle Xu to reach round two. The London-native is now guaranteed at least 18 points.
Ariana Arseneault, who sat two-points behind Cross entering the event, opens against Canadian qualifier Emma Dong. The Richmond Hillian could then battle top-seed Elizabeth Mandlik of the United States in the second round.
Also, in the top half of the draw is a returning Rebecca Marino, playing on home soil for the first time since the 2025 National Bank Open presented by Rogers. The two-time Canadian Female Player of the Year meets No. 7 seed Mei Yamaguchi of Japan in round one.
In the bottom half, Alexandra Vagramov can make up some ground in the Road to the NBO as she entered 13 points back of first. The New Westminster-native will begin play against Ekaterina Ovcharenko and could meet second-seed Yeonwoo Ku of Korea Republic in the quarter-finals.
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No. 4 seed Cadence Brace is in the same half as well, the only other Canadian seed behind Cross.
ATP Challenger
The bottom half of the Granby Challenger features the top-three players in the Road to the NBO standings. Keegan Rice made himself a National Bank Open wildcard contender following his Laval runner-up finish, now just 11 points behind leader Duncan Chan.
Rice will have to go through compatriot Alexander Rozin in round one after meeting in the Laval doubles final a few days ago.
In the same half, Chan and Liam Draxl can clash in round two, if both come out with first-round wins. Then, there is the possibility that Chan or Draxl will meet Rice in the quarter-finals, but Rice may have to upset second-seed Arthur Gea before reaching the final eight.
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Just one Canadian seed stands in the top half as Alexis Galarneau enters at No. 8. If both him and top-seed Aleksander Vukic earn back-to-back wins, they will cross paths in the quarters.
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Feature Photo: Sarah-Jade Champagne
