2026 US Open Day 2: Expert Prediction for Shelton vs. Griekspoor Ben Shelton, the No. 8 seed, faces Tallon Griekspoor in a first-round matchup at the 2026 US Open. Shelton, ranked No. 9 in the world, has had a strong 2026 season, winning four singles titles including the defense of his Canadian Open crown in Montreal. However, his performance at Grand Slam tournaments has been inconsistent, with runs to the quarterfinals at the Australian Open and early exits at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. At the 2025 US Open, Shelton reached the semifinals at age 20, becoming the youngest American man to achieve that feat since Michael Chang in 1992. Last year, he retired with an injury in the third round of the US Open. Shelton’s aggressive, big-hitting left-handed game has been a key factor in his recent success. His dominance in the Canadian Open, where he swept through the draw without dropping a set, highlights his form heading into the US Open. The 23-year-old aims to build on his previous Slam performances, though his history at the US Open includes third-round exits in the past two years. Analysts predict he will advance to the second round, citing his current form and the challenge posed by Griekspoor. Griekspoor, the Netherlands’ top-ranked player, is ranked No. 56. His best Slam result is a fourth-round finish at Roland Garros in 2025. In his five previous US Open appearances, Griekspoor has advanced beyond the third round only once, in 2024. The 30-year-old has established himself as a consistent performer on the ATP Tour, with three career singles titles and a record for the most ATP Challenger titles in a single season (eight in 2021). His recent form includes a run to the Dubai final in February, where he defeated Andrey Rublev in the semifinals before withdrawing with a hamstring injury.#ben_shelton #atp_tour #tallon_griekspoor #2026_us_open #canadian_open
Naomi Osaka Jokes About Catching Leylah Fernandez 'Off Guard' in Toronto Showdown After 'Really Bad' Display Naomi Osaka has expressed her anticipation for a highly anticipated fourth-round clash against Leylah Fernandez at the 2026 Canadian Open in Toronto. The Japanese star, seeded 11th, will face the Canadian player, who is ranked 20th, in a match that marks their third tour-level encounter. Osaka reflected on their rivalry during a post-match press conference following her third-round victory over Elise Mertens, highlighting her surprise at the limited number of times they have faced each other despite their frequent practice sessions. Osaka’s recent performance at the tournament has been dominant, with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Panna Udvardy in the second round and a swift 6-1, 6-2 victory over Mertens in the third round. The former world No. 1 emphasized her respect for Fernandez’s resilience and fighting spirit, noting that the Canadian’s left-handed playstyle presents a unique challenge. “She’s lefty, and there aren’t many lefties on tour, so it takes me a while to get used to that,” Osaka said. “I’ve never seen her down. She always keeps fighting. I really appreciate that about her.” The rivalry between Osaka and Fernandez has been marked by contrasting results. In their first meeting at the 2021 US Open, Fernandez secured a 5-7, 7-6(2), 6-4 victory. However, Osaka reversed the outcome at the Wuhan Open in 2025, defeating Fernandez 4-6, 7-5, 6-3. Ahead of their rematch in Toronto, Osaka humorously addressed their recent practice session at the Mubadala DC Open, where she admitted to playing “really bad.” She joked that she hoped to catch Fernandez off guard by mimicking her poor performance, though she dismissed the idea of taking the practice session seriously.#elise_mertens #leylah_fernandez #naomi_osaka #mubadala_dc_open #canadian_open
Alex Eala Faces Belinda Bencic in High-Stakes Canadian Open Round of 16 Filipina tennis star Alexandra "Alex" Eala is set to test her skills against world No. 14 Belinda Bencic of Switzerland in the Round of 16 of the Canadian Open on Monday, August 10, 2026. The match, scheduled for 8:10 a.m. Manila time at the Sobeys Stadium in Toronto, marks a pivotal moment in Eala’s career as she aims to extend her winning streak and secure a quarterfinal berth in the prestigious WTA 1000 tournament. Eala’s path to the round of 16 included a hard-fought three-set victory over American world No. 70 Caty McNally on Saturday, August 9. The match, played in front of a sold-out 10,000-seat Centre Court, saw Eala overcome a grueling battle to claim a 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 win. However, the physical toll of the match was evident, as Eala showed signs of fatigue and suffered an ankle injury during the second set. She described the incident as a sudden misstep while attempting a forehand, which prompted her to call for the physio team. Fortunately, the injury was minor, allowing her to continue her campaign. Eala’s performance against McNally highlighted her resilience and growing reputation on the global stage. The 21-year-old Filipina has been a standout player in recent months, with her recent victory at the Washington Open contributing to her current form. A win against Bencic would extend her winning streak to eight matches, further solidifying her position among the world’s elite. Bencic, a 29-year-old Swiss player with a career-high world ranking of No. 4, enters the match after surviving a marathon encounter against American Taylor Townsend in the Round of 32. The Swiss player defeated Townsend 6-7, 7-6, 6-4, showcasing her ability to overcome pressure in high-stakes matches.#alex_eala #belinda_bencic #toronto #sobeys_stadium #canadian_open
Alex Eala’s tennis phenomenon is growing and changing the sport – everywhere she goes Alex Eala’s rise in tennis has become a global spectacle, with her influence extending far beyond the court. At the Canadian Open, her victory over Alycia Parks in a three-set match marked a pivotal moment in her career, drawing an electrifying crowd of over 10,000 fans waving Philippine flags. The 21-year-old player, who has been making headlines since her breakout performance at last year’s Miami Open, addressed the crowd in Tagalog during her post-match interview, expressing gratitude for the overwhelming support. Her ability to connect with fans across the world has transformed her into a symbol of hope for the Philippines, a nation of 110 million people spread across 7,641 islands. Eala’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. From her junior days, she has been a trailblazer for Philippine tennis, a sport that has historically lacked international recognition. Her rise has been accompanied by a surge in Filipino diaspora support, particularly in cities like Toronto, home to the largest Filipino community in Canada. The phenomenon of Ealamania, as fans have come to call it, has created a unique blend of cultural pride and sporting enthusiasm. Tournament organizers have had to adapt to accommodate the demand, with Eala’s matches often drawing sell-out crowds and forcing logistical challenges. At the Canadian Open, the decision to place Eala on Centre Court for her Wednesday night match was a strategic move to satisfy the fervent fanbase. Tickets for the session sold out in just 30 minutes, a rarity for early rounds of the tournament.#alex_eala #philippines #venus_williams #canadian_open #warren_paul_catacutan
