The US Open may still be weeks away, but the American women are already making their mark on the WTA circuit. At the WTA 1000 National Bank Open in Toronto, four US players have stormed into the quarterfinals, led by defending champion Jessica Pegula.
Pegula, the No. 3 seed, overcame a spirited challenge from fellow American Ashlyn Krueger, winning 6-4, 6-2. Despite windy conditions and a combined 70 unforced errors, Pegula’s experience and resilience proved too much for the 20-year-old qualifier.
Joining Pegula in the last eight are Amanda Anisimova, Emma Navarro, and Taylor Townsend. Anisimova, a former Roland Garros semifinalist, retired her opponent Anna Kalinskaya in the second set. Navarro, seeded No. 11, upset eighth-seeded Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine 7-5, 7-5.
Townsend, a last-minute replacement for Yulia Putintseva, made history by defeating former Roland Garros champion Jelena Ostapenko 6-2, 6-1. The left-hander, who won Wimbledon in doubles last month, had never reached a WTA quarterfinal in singles before this week.
With No. 1 seed Coco Gauff and former NCAA champion Peyton Stearns still to play, as many as six Americans could make up the eight quarterfinalists. This would be a testament to the depth and talent of the US women’s tennis.
Townsend, who broke into the Top 50 in doubles after her Wimbledon triumph, is now on the cusp of achieving the same feat in singles. A win against Navarro in the quarterfinals would guarantee her a place among the world’s top 50.
The American quartet’s success in Toronto is a positive sign for the US Open, which begins on August 29. With their confidence and momentum high, they will be among the favorites to challenge for the title in New York.
