For the first time since lifting the US Open trophy in September 2019, Bianca Andreescu was a singles champion at a professional tournament again over the weekend.
It was a winning start to 2026 on the ITF Tour for the former world No. 4, who opted to kick off her year on the lower circuit rather than join her compatriots down under at the Australian Open, which also got underway on the weekend.
Here’s what you need to know.
Under the Radar: Andreescu Ends Drought
It has been a tough run to say the least for Bianca Andreescu since winning her Grand Slam title in New York just over six years ago. But she found herself back in the winner’s circle on Sunday at an ITF W35 event in Bradenton, Florida, defeating Vivian Wolf in straight sets to secure the singles crown.
The Canadian was the top seed but had to fight through a three-setter in the first round against Malkia Ngounoue. However, once she survived that scare, Andreescu cruised. The Mississaugan did not drop another set, losing just 11 more games on her way to the final where she dispatched Wolf 6-2, 7-5 to claim the title.
“This win means a lot. I haven’t won a tournament in a really long time so this one definitely means a lot. It hasn’t been an easy journey but this one is very special to me,” said Andreescu in a post-match interview.
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Andreescu did win a WTA 125 doubles title in Catalonia and won the Hopman Cup with Félix Auger-Aliassime in 2025. It was her first ITF World Tour singles title since 2018.
The former US Open champion will look for back-to-back ITF titles this week at another W35 event in Weston, Florida.
Another event to keep an eye on this week is the ATP Challenger event in Oeiras, Portugal, where Davis Cup team members Alexis Galarneau and Cleeve Harper are competing, with Canada’s tie against Brazil just a few weeks away.
In Case You Missed It: Mboko Enjoying Australian Summer
It appears the hot Aussie conditions work well for Victoria Mboko. The 19-year-old Canadian is off to a brilliant start in 2026, reaching the final in her first regular WTA Tour event of the season last week in Adelaide.
Mboko had to fight hard at the WTA 500 event, needing three sets to win each of her first three matches against Beatriz Haddad Maia, Anna Kalinskaya, and reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys. She then cruised past Kimberly Birrell in the semis to reach her third WTA Tour final, and second in a row dating back to her final event of 2025 in Hong Kong, but ran out of gas against fellow teen sensation Mirra Andreeva.
Despite the physical grind of her Adelaide run, Mboko was able to bounce back brilliantly in her Australian Open debut just two days later. The teen cruised past local wildcard Emerson Jones in straight sets to secure the win in her first-ever match in the Melbourne main draw.
Read also: WTA Power Rankings - Deep Field Ready to Vie for Australian Open Crown
That win on Monday ended a brutal start to the year’s first major for the Canadians. On the first day of play, Gabriel Diallo was beaten in four sets by world No. 3 Alexander Zverev while Liam Draxl, who had qualified for his first Grand Slam main draw in Melbourne, was beaten by Damir Dzumhur in straight sets.
The following day, both Félix Auger-Aliassime and Marina Stakusic, who, like Draxl, had gotten into the main draw as a qualifier and was making her debut in Melbourne, had to retire in their respective first round matches.
Denis Shapovalov followed Mboko’s lead, finishing the day strong with a straight-set victory over Yunchaokete Bu.
Of the six Canadians in qualifying, only Stakusic and Draxl had made it through. Cadence Brace, Carson Branstine, Kayla Cross, and Alexis Galarneau all came up short.
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What to Watch: Fernandez Joins the Fray at Australian Open
Leylah Annie Fernandez is the lone Canadian in singles still waiting to kick off her campaign. She plays Janice Tjen on Tuesday morning in Melbourne, Monday night at 7 pm EST in Canada.
Mboko and Shapovalov are already off to round two. Mboko will take on American Caty McNally next before she could start to run into seeded opponents like No. 14 Clara Tauson in round three and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the fourth round.
Shapovalov will play former US Open champion Marin Cilic next, with No. 12 seed Casper Ruud possibly waiting in round three.
CLICK HERE to read more about the Canadians’ draws at the Australian Open.
Doubles gets underway in Melbourne on Tuesday. Gabriela Dabrowski is kicking off her 2026 at the Australian Open alongside new/old partner Luisa Stefani. The pair last played together at Roland-Garros in 2023. They are seeded fifth at this event and will meet McCartney Kessler and Jessica Pegula in the first round.
Read also: ATP Power Rankings - Can Anyone Stop a Sinner-Alcaraz Australian Open Final
Fernandez is competing in doubles alongside Timea Babos. They play No. 9 seeds Cristina Busca and Nicole Melichar-Martinez in the first round. Mboko is also playing doubles in Melbourne with fellow youngster Iva Jovic. The teens will open against Ulrikke Eikeri and Ingrid Neel, with No. 4 seed Elise Mertens and Shuai Zhang potentially waiting in round two.
No Canadian men are competing in doubles. The mixed doubles draw has not yet been released.
You can follow the Canadians in action every week here.
The Davis Cup returns to Canada in February as Canada hosts Brazil in the Qualifiers First Round in Vancouver, Feb. 6-7 at UBC's Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre. Tickets are on sale. Get yours now!
