While the big show does not begin in the Big Apple until Sunday, tennis is already being played at the 2026 US Open, the final Grand Slam event of 2026. Between qualifying and the unique mixed doubles competition, the Canadians are right in the thick of it this week in New York.
Here's what you need to know.
In Case You Missed It: Missed Opportunity in Cincinnati
By the time Félix Auger-Aliassime took to the court for his fourth-round match at the Cincinnati Open on Wednesday night, he was the only Top 5 player left in the draw, the best opening he has had at a big event in his career. However, he was unable to take advantage.
Auger-Aliassime had beaten Stefanos Tsitsipas and Juan Manuel Cerundolo, both in straight sets, on his way to the last sixteen. But he was overwhelmed by the dialled-in Frances Tiafoe, who knocked off the No. 2-seeded Canadian in straight sets. Tiafoe went on to reach the final.
The two Canadians competing in women's doubles in Cincinnati suffered the same fates as each other, winning their opening match before losing in round two.
Gabriela Dabrowski and partner Barbora Krejcikova knocked off fourth seeds Cristina Busca and Nicole Melichar-Martinez in the first round before falling 10-7 in the match tiebreak in round two against Marie Bouzkova and Linda Noskova. Leylah Annie Fernandez was teaming up with National Bank Open runner-up Sara Errani and beat Tamara Korpatsch and Emily Webley Smith in the first round. They fell to Hao Ching Chan and Maya Joint in round two.
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What to Watch: US Open Mixed Doubles and Qualifying This Week
No Canadians are competing at the ATP and WTA Tour events this week, instead choosing to focus on New York and the upcoming US Open.
Year two of the revamped mixed doubles competition will feature some Canadian content, with both Félix Auger-Aliassime and Leylah Annie Fernandez competing.
Auger-Aliassime is teaming up with rising star Alexandra Eala, who just stole the show earlier this month in Toronto. They will take on the husband-and-wife duo of Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils in the first round.
Fernandez is teaming up with Frances Tiafoe and they were drawn against the top seeds, Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic. If both Canadians win their opening matches, they would meet in the next round, which is the quarter-finals of the four-round event.
Read also: Best Stories from the 2026 National Bank Open
Gabriela Dabrowski was competing in the qualifying for mixed doubles but Harri Heliovaara but they lost in the first round on Monday.
Seven Canadians are competing in singles qualifying this week in New York, although only six can reach the US Open main draw.
Carson Branstine is back in action in New York, having not played since Australian Open qualifying in January due to injury. She has a tough draw though, opening against Clervie Ngounoue with top seed Polina Kudermetova or Linda Fruhvirtova waiting in round two.
Kayla Cross, fresh off the biggest win of her career earlier this month in Toronto, kicks off her campaign against Robin Montgomery. She will face a Belgian, either Greet Minnen or Jelina Vandromme, in the second round.
If they both reach round three, Branstine and Cross would face off for a spot in the main draw.
2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu is competing in qualifying in New York. She opens against Eva Vedder and would face either No. 24 seed Veronika Podrez or Caroline Dolehide in the second round. No. 10 Laura Samson is the high seed in that section of the draw, a potential third-round opponent for Andreescu.
Katherine Sebov is also coming off a strong performance in Toronto and opens her US Open bid against Julia Avdeeva. She could play No. 13 seed Yue Yuan in the second round and No. 17 Mary Stoiana in round three.
Rounding out the Canadian women is Rebecca Marino, who starts against No. 30 Fiona Ferro. If she gets to round three, the Vancouverite could meet former Olympic gold medalist Qinwen Zheng.
On the men's side, Liam Draxl will be in tough from the start, having to open against No. 13 seed Nicolas Mejia. A win would set up a clash with either Taro Daniel or Andrew Johnson, with No. 19 seed Nikoloz Basilashvili potentially waiting in the final round.
Alexis Galarneau opens against Keegan Smith and could face eighth seed Dalibor Svrcina in the second round. No. 28 seed Mackenzie McDonald is a potential third-round opponent.
The main draws will be made on Thursday, with play beginning on Sunday.
Under the Radar: Boulais and Chan come close at home
The Challenger Banque Nationale de Quebec was held for the first time last week, with Justin Boulais and Duncan Chan delivering the best performance from the hosts. The pair reached the doubles final, where they were edged out in a match tiebreak.
Alexis Galarneau was the last Canadian standing in singles, going out in round two against Jacob Fearnley.
CLICK HERE for the full Quebec Challenger recap.
This week, the 2026 Steve Stevens Masters Tennis Championships is being held in Ottawa, while the U14 Fischer Outdoor Junior Nationals, the final junior national championships of 2026, will wrap up later this week in Laval.
You can follow the Canadians in action every week here.
The Davis Cup is coming to Quebec City September 18 and 19 as Team Canada hosts France in the Davis Cup Qualifiers Second Round. Tickets are on sale now. CLICK HERE TO BUY YOUR TICKETS!
Feature Photo: Morgan Givens/Wick Photography for National Bank Open
