National Bank Open 2026: Kayla Cross Breaks Through, Gabriel Diallo Rallies and Bianca Andreescu Falls

TL;DR: What Happened on Day 3?

• Kayla Cross defeated Katie Boulter 7-6(3), 7-5 for the first WTA Tour main-draw win of her career.
• Gabriel Diallo recovered from a difficult opening set to beat Kyrian Jacquet 6-7(1), 6-3, 6-2 in Montreal.
• Nikola Bartunkova eliminated 2019 champion Bianca Andreescu 7-5, 6-2 after Andreescu led 5-2 and 40-love in the opening set.
• Rebecca Marino, Cadence Brace, Carol Zhao and Alexis Galarneau were among the Canadian players eliminated.
• Gael Monfils opened his final Montreal campaign with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Kamil Majchrzak.
• Mariano Navone defeated Matteo Berrettini in three sets, while Nicolas Mejia, Titouan Droguet and Daniel Altmaier also survived deciding sets.
• Daria Kasatkina completed one of the strongest comebacks of the day against Xinyu Wang.
• Eva Lys, Polina Kudermetova and Elisabetta Cocciaretto retired from their matches in Toronto.
• The Canadian singles record on Day 3 was two wins and five defeats.
• Several Montreal first-round matches delayed by rain were moved into the Day 4 schedule.

National Bank Open Day 3 at a Glance

A Tournament Day That Refused to End Quietly

Day 3 began as a cleanup operation and developed into the first defining day of the 2026 National Bank Open.

Rain had already damaged Sunday’s schedule in Montreal and Toronto. The women managed to complete more matches on Day 2, while the men saw almost their entire program carried forward. Monday therefore arrived with two competing objectives: finish the delayed opening round and begin moving both tournaments toward their seeded second-round matchups.

Toronto eventually completed its remaining first-round program. Montreal made significant progress, although fresh rain interruptions meant several matches were officially moved into Tuesday.

The volume of tennis created a day full of different stories. Some players had spent hours waiting to compete. Others returned to matches suspended the previous evening. A few entered the tournament carrying confidence from Washington, Memphis or other recent hard-court events. Several Canadians walked onto court knowing the home crowd expected a response after an uneven opening day.

By the end of the program, Cross and Diallo had given Canadian supporters two victories worth remembering. Andreescu, Marino, Zhao, Brace and Galarneau were out. Monfils had started his Montreal farewell with a win. Berrettini had fallen in a draining three-set contest. Kasatkina had survived a match that appeared lost twice.

The wider tournament picture also became clearer. The top 32 seeds received first-round byes in the expanded 96-player draws, so the first-round winners were playing for the right to face rested and higher-ranked opponents. The Sports Encounter’s complete National Bank Open 2026 guide explains the format, leading contenders, schedule and role the Canadian events play before Cincinnati and the US Open.

Day 3 supplied the tournament’s first proper separation between players who arrived ready for the hard-court swing and those who still looked trapped between recovery, adjustment and expectation.

Kayla Cross Turns Centre Court Pressure Into a Career Breakthrough

Kayla Cross produced the clearest home success of the day by defeating Katie Boulter 7-6(3), 7-5 on Centre Court in Toronto.

The victory represented several milestones at once. It was Cross’ first main-draw win at a WTA 1000 tournament, her first WTA Tour main-draw victory at any level and the biggest result of her professional career.

The 21-year-old did not receive an easy route to the finish. Boulter brought far more tour-level experience, greater familiarity with high-pressure matches and the ability to punish short balls from inside the baseline. Cross had to manage her own nerves while also handling an opponent capable of changing the direction of a set quickly.

The opening set reached a tiebreak after both players created opportunities without fully separating. Cross then played with greater clarity. She committed to her shots, moved Boulter across the baseline and avoided allowing the occasion to dictate her decisions.

Closing the second set proved more difficult. First career wins often become emotionally heavy when the finish line comes into view. The arm tightens. The player begins thinking about the result rather than the next ball. Cross showed some signs of that tension but kept returning to the patterns that had carried her into the lead.

Her 7-5 second set confirmed more than an upset. It showed she could withstand the pressure created by a home crowd desperate to celebrate a Canadian success.

Cross’ win also continued an extraordinary period for young players on the women’s tour. Only days earlier, 16-year-old Kristina Liutova won a title during her tour-level debut, a breakthrough examined in The Sports Encounter’s report on Liutova’s historic Memphis championship.

Cross now faces a different challenge. A first major win brings attention, but it also changes expectations. Her next opponent will have a stronger scouting picture and a clearer understanding of how she responds under pressure. The Canadian’s task is to treat the victory as evidence of belonging rather than the completion of a dream week.

Gabriel Diallo Finds His Range After a Rough Opening Set

Gabriel Diallo gave Montreal its most important Canadian result, defeating qualifier Kyrian Jacquet 6-7(1), 6-3, 6-2.

The match initially looked as if it might become another frustrating home defeat. Diallo struggled to impose his size and first-strike tennis during the opening set. Jacquet stayed solid through the rallies, reached the tiebreak and then dominated it 7-1.

Diallo’s response changed the match.

Rather than rushing for immediate recovery, he began building points with more patience. His serve created shorter returns, his forehand carried greater weight and Jacquet found fewer chances to establish neutral exchanges.

The second set turned once Diallo began earning more predictable first balls after serve. The Canadian could step inside the court instead of defending from uncomfortable positions. That movement mattered because his game becomes far more dangerous when he controls court position rather than relying on emergency power.

Jacquet’s resistance weakened during the deciding set. Diallo accelerated through the final stages, winning 12 of the last 17 games after dropping the first-set tiebreak.

The 6-2 third set gave the scoreline a comfortable appearance, but the victory required a genuine reset. Diallo had to accept that his initial plan was not working, reduce the emotional cost of the first set and rebuild the match without becoming reckless.

His reward is a second-round meeting with No. 19 seed Luciano Darderi. That matchup will demand more consistent serving and cleaner control of the baseline. Darderi will punish extended lapses, yet Diallo’s ability to recover against Jacquet should give him confidence that he can solve problems during a match rather than needing perfect conditions from the first game.

The Canadian field entered Montreal with increased responsibility after Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz were removed from the tournament picture. Their absences opened sections of the draw while also shifting more attention toward Alexander Zverev, Felix Auger-Aliassime and the home contingent. The reasons behind two of those major withdrawals are explored in The Sports Encounter’s analysis of why Sinner and Djokovic skipped Montreal.

Bianca Andreescu Lets a Winning Position Slip Away

Bianca Andreescu’s return to the National Bank Open ended in a painful 7-5, 6-2 defeat to Nikola Bartunkova.

The final score does not explain how sharply the match turned.

Andreescu led 5-2 and 40-love in the opening set. At that moment, she held three set points on her serve and appeared ready to take control of the contest. Bartunkova then won six consecutive games.

The sequence transformed the match from a promising Canadian start into a test of emotional recovery. Andreescu twice failed to serve out the set, lost confidence in the patterns that had established her lead and began giving Bartunkova more space to dictate.

Bartunkova deserves credit for refusing to accept the direction of the match. The Czech player stayed aggressive when many opponents would have shifted into survival mode. She returned with greater depth, extended rallies long enough to expose Andreescu’s uncertainty and treated each saved set point as a chance to transfer pressure back across the net.

Once Bartunkova stole the first set 7-5, Andreescu looked increasingly burdened by what had happened. The Canadian’s level dropped, her decision-making became less secure and the second set moved quickly toward the younger player.

The 6-2 score reflected more than tactical superiority. Bartunkova appeared emotionally freer after completing the comeback, while Andreescu struggled to prevent one lost opportunity from defining the rest of the afternoon.

Andreescu’s relationship with the tournament will always carry emotional weight because of her 2019 title. That history increases crowd support but also magnifies each difficult result. A player returning from repeated injury problems needs competitive stability, yet home events rarely provide a quiet environment for rebuilding.

Her defeat leaves another uncomfortable question before the US Open. Andreescu can still produce stretches of intelligent, varied and disruptive tennis. Sustaining those stretches through the most important games remains the harder problem.

Rebecca Marino and Cadence Brace Exit in Straight Sets

Rebecca Marino lost 7-5, 6-4 to Zeynep Sonmez in the Toronto night session.

Marino’s serve remains the foundation of her game, but Sonmez repeatedly found ways into the Canadian’s service games. The Turkish player created eight break points and converted three while surrendering her own serve only once.

The opening set remained close until Sonmez applied pressure late. Marino needed more free points to control the score, yet too many service games became physical baseline contests. That pattern favoured the younger and more mobile opponent.

Sonmez carried the advantage into the second set and denied Marino the sustained run needed to turn the match. The Canadian stayed close enough to create hope without establishing the return pressure required to change the direction of the contest.

Cadence Brace also exited in straight sets, losing 6-3, 6-3 to McCartney Kessler.

Kessler broke in the opening game and controlled the match from that point. She saved all three break points she faced and kept Brace under pressure across both sets.

The result exposed the gap between competing well and controlling the scoreboard. Brace produced rallies that showed she could stay with Kessler, but she struggled to convert those competitive passages into breaks or extended momentum.

Kessler’s cleaner execution during important points made the difference. The American rarely allowed one poor game to create a larger decline, while Brace spent most of the match trying to recover the early deficit.

Carol Zhao’s Final National Bank Open Ends in a Three-Set Fight

Carol Zhao’s final appearance at the National Bank Open ended with a 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 defeat to Magda Linette.

Zhao gave the crowd an encouraging opening set, using variation and intelligent court positioning to disrupt the Polish player. She broke at the right time and carried the set 6-4.

Linette responded with a dominant second set. Her depth improved, Zhao received fewer short balls and the match began moving at a pace that suited the more experienced Top 100 competitor.

The deciding set provided Zhao with another opportunity to create a memorable farewell. She recovered from a break down and forced Linette to keep earning the victory. A late break eventually separated them.

The defeat ended Zhao’s tournament, but the performance carried more meaning than a routine first-round loss. She remained competitive after a heavy second set, recovered emotionally and made Linette close the match under pressure.

Farewell appearances can become ceremonial when the score turns. Zhao refused to let that happen. Her final National Bank Open match remained a real contest until the closing games.

Alexis Galarneau Cannot Join Diallo in Round Two

Alexis Galarneau lost 6-4, 6-4 to Vit Kopriva in Montreal.

The two sets followed a similar shape. Galarneau stayed close, competed through the middle stages and gave the home crowd reason to believe he could force a shift. Kopriva, however, handled the important service and return games with greater precision.

A single break decided each set. That narrow margin can make a defeat feel especially frustrating because the player never appears overwhelmed. Galarneau remained within reach of the scoreboard while lacking the finishing quality required to turn pressure into a break of his own.

Kopriva’s consistency prevented the Canadian from finding an emotional opening. He absorbed the crowd noise, accepted the longer rallies and trusted that Galarneau would eventually need to take greater risks.

The result left Diallo as the only Canadian winner in the completed men’s Day 3 matches.

Canadian Day 3 Results Tracker

Canada finished Day 3 with a 2-5 singles record. The numbers look difficult, but Cross and Diallo gave the home campaign two results with genuine future value.

Cross earned a career first. Diallo recovered from a set down and showed he could manage the extra pressure attached to playing in Montreal. Those victories offer more than temporary crowd energy because both players advanced through adversity rather than relying on comfortable scorelines.

Gael Monfils Begins His Montreal Farewell With a Win

Gael Monfils defeated Kamil Majchrzak 6-4, 6-4 in one of the most emotionally anticipated matches of the Montreal program.

The Frenchman arrived for what is expected to be his final National Bank Open appearance. That context could easily have turned the match into an occasion before it became a competition.

Monfils handled both responsibilities.

He gave the crowd the movement, energy and shot-making they came to see while maintaining enough tactical discipline to win in straight sets. One break in each set proved sufficient.

Majchrzak stayed competitive but could not force Monfils into the prolonged physical struggle that might have changed the match. The veteran protected his service games, managed his energy and chose his moments to attack.

Monfils’ second-round progress adds another chapter to a North American hard-court season carrying strong farewell emotion. He is also expected to receive another major stage in Ohio, where his entry is part of a notable group discussed in The Sports Encounter’s guide to the 2026 Cincinnati Open wild cards.

Every win now matters differently for Monfils. He is no longer building toward a long-term ranking project. Each tournament provides another chance to compete in front of supporters who have followed his career for nearly two decades.

Mariano Navone Sends Matteo Berrettini Out After Three Sets

Mariano Navone defeated Matteo Berrettini 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-3 in one of the longest and most demanding matches of the Montreal day.

Berrettini entered the tournament as a dangerous unseeded player because his serve and forehand remain capable of overwhelming opponents on hard courts. Navone prevented those weapons from deciding the match.

The Argentine took the opening set by extending enough rallies to expose Berrettini’s movement and by refusing to allow the Italian to control every short exchange.

Berrettini responded in the second-set tiebreak. He used his serve to escape pressure and level the contest, creating the possibility that experience and firepower would carry him through the decider.

Navone remained composed. He returned to the patterns that had worked in the first set, challenged Berrettini’s movement and accepted the physical cost of making the Italian hit extra balls.

The final 6-3 set completed an important hard-court result for a player more commonly associated with clay. Navone’s ability to absorb Berrettini’s pace and stay disciplined across more than three hours gave the victory broader significance.

For Berrettini, the defeat continues a difficult search for continuity. His best tennis still appears in flashes. The challenge lies in sustaining movement, serving efficiency and physical confidence over full matches against opponents willing to test his body.

Droguet Survives Van Assche in the Tightest Montreal Finish

Titouan Droguet edged Luca Van Assche 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(7) in a match that remained undecided until the final points of the third-set tiebreak.

Droguet took the first set with more assertive baseline play, but Van Assche reversed the momentum in the second. His movement improved, he redirected the ball more effectively and Droguet struggled to maintain the same control.

The deciding set became a test of nerve. Neither player could create lasting separation, and the match eventually reached a tiebreak where every loose point carried match-ending consequences.

Droguet held on 9-7.

The narrow finish captured the difficulty faced by players in the opening round of an expanded Masters event. The winner earns valuable ranking points and a meeting with a seeded opponent. The loser leaves after hours of work with almost nothing separating the two performances.

Nicolas Mejia Completes a Late Comeback Against Martin Landaluce

Qualifier Nicolas Mejia defeated Martin Landaluce 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Landaluce began with greater control and secured the opening set. Mejia gradually increased the pressure on return and began winning more exchanges once rallies moved beyond the first few shots.

The Colombian took the second set with a late break, then carried that emotional advantage into the decider.

Landaluce’s level did not collapse, but Mejia played the clearer tennis during the moments that decided service games. His reward is another opportunity to extend a run that began in qualifying.

Qualifiers often enter large events with stronger competitive rhythm than seeded players receiving byes. Mejia has already played several matches in Montreal, adjusted to the courts and survived elimination pressure. The question is whether that rhythm can compensate for fatigue when the draw becomes more demanding.

Daniel Altmaier Wins a Three-Hour Battle

Daniel Altmaier recovered from a set down to beat qualifier Aleksandar Vukic 6-7(2), 7-6(5), 6-4.

The match lasted almost three hours and contained two tiebreaks before a single break separated the players in the final set.

Vukic took the first tiebreak comfortably and remained within reach of victory throughout the second. Altmaier stayed composed, improved his return position and found enough depth to prevent the Australian from controlling every exchange with his serve.

The German took the second tiebreak 7-5 and used that momentum to edge the deciding set.

Long opening-round matches can become expensive later in a tournament. Altmaier earned progression, but he also spent significant physical energy before facing a rested seed.

Michelsen, Moutet, Hanfmann and Norrie Move On

Alex Michelsen defeated Jan-Lennard Struff 6-1, 3-6, 6-1 in a match built around two dramatic momentum swings.

Michelsen dominated the opening set, Struff responded in the second, and the American then re-established control in the decider. The two 6-1 sets showed how effectively Michelsen could attack Struff’s movement and take time away when his return was working.

Corentin Moutet produced the most one-sided men’s result of the completed day, beating Marton Fucsovics 6-1, 6-2.

Moutet disrupted rhythm from the opening games and never allowed Fucsovics to settle into the physical baseline patterns he prefers. The Frenchman’s variety, court awareness and ability to change pace made the match uncomfortable from start to finish.

Yannick Hanfmann defeated qualifier Benjamin Bonzi 6-1, 4-6, 6-2. Hanfmann lost control during the middle set but recovered quickly in the decider rather than allowing the match to become a prolonged struggle.

Cameron Norrie beat Camilo Ugo Carabelli 7-6(5), 6-4. The British player’s experience in tight hard-court matches helped him manage the first-set tiebreak and secure a late advantage in the second.

Marin Cilic also advanced with a 7-6(2), 6-1 win over qualifier Sho Shimabukuro. After a close first set, Cilic opened the court more effectively and controlled the second with his serve and first forehand.

Kasatkina Produces Toronto’s Great Escape

Daria Kasatkina recovered to defeat Xinyu Wang 1-6, 7-6(5), 7-5 in the most dramatic women’s comeback of Day 3.

Wang dominated the opening set and moved 4-1 ahead in the second. Her power and early ball striking left Kasatkina defending from difficult positions, while the Australian struggled to create enough depth to reset rallies.

Kasatkina began changing the match through patience rather than force. She extended exchanges, increased the number of balls Wang needed to hit and waited for the Chinese player’s level to become less precise.

The second set reached a tiebreak, which Kasatkina won 7-5.

Wang then earned another opportunity in the decider. She served for the match at 5-3 but could not close. Kasatkina won the final four games to complete a recovery that had appeared improbable twice.

The result highlighted one of Kasatkina’s greatest strengths. She does not require control of the scoreboard to believe she can still reshape a match. Her variety and defensive intelligence create time, while opponents often feel pressure to finish points too quickly once a lead begins slipping.

Difficult Retirements Change Three Toronto Matches

Three women’s matches ended in retirements.

Alina Korneeva led Polina Kudermetova 6-0, 3-0 when Kudermetova retired after receiving treatment on her knee. The match lasted less than an hour and had been controlled by Korneeva from the opening game.

Talia Gibson advanced when Elisabetta Cocciaretto retired at 6-2, 3-2. Cocciaretto received treatment on her leg after the first set. She briefly broke at the beginning of the second before Gibson responded immediately.

Panna Udvardy advanced after Eva Lys retired while trailing 2-6, 7-6(3), 2-0.

Lys had appeared close to victory when she led by a set and 5-2. Her level then dropped sharply, Udvardy recovered and the German retired after losing the second-set tiebreak and falling behind in the decider.

The three retirements carry different competitive contexts, but each removes a player from an important stage of the hard-court swing. Toronto offers ranking points and preparation before the US Open. Physical problems at this point of the calendar can affect Cincinnati participation and disrupt the training needed for New York.

Sloane Stephens Finds a Valuable Opening Win

Qualifier Sloane Stephens defeated Solana Sierra 6-3, 6-4.

Stephens fell behind early but responded by winning eight consecutive games, moving from 1-3 in the first set to 3-0 in the second.

The former US Open champion did face a late complication when she was broken while serving for the match. Her response was immediate. Stephens broke in the next game to finish the contest.

The victory matters because Stephens entered through qualifying and is trying to rebuild consistency on the surface where she has produced her greatest career moments.

Her movement and ability to redirect pace remain dangerous when confidence rises. Toronto provides an opportunity to gather matches before returning to New York, where her past success ensures every result carries additional attention.

Kayla Day and Maya Joint Complete Strong Comebacks

Qualifier Kayla Day defeated Diane Parry 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 after Parry served for the match at 5-3 in the deciding set.

Day won 16 of the final 19 points and claimed the last four games. The comeback reflected a complete change in emotional control. Parry moved close to victory, while Day began playing with greater freedom and clarity.

Maya Joint also recovered from a set down, beating Yuliia Starodubtseva 4-6, 6-1, 6-3.

Joint transformed the match by attacking the Ukrainian’s serve. She broke in six of Starodubtseva’s final seven service games, including four times during the deciding set.

The Australian qualifier entered Toronto after featuring in a remarkable run of young-player success across the tour. Her ability to adjust on return turned a difficult first set into a convincing three-set win.

Other Important Toronto Results

Karolina Pliskova defeated Oleksandra Oliynykova 6-4, 6-4. Pliskova remained composed late in both sets and broke in the final service game of each.

Magdalena Frech resumed her delayed match against Leolia Jeanjean at 4-4 in the first set and won 7-5, 6-3. The restart produced three consecutive breaks before Frech gained control.

Shuai Zhang beat Yulia Putintseva 6-4, 6-1. Zhang established an early advantage, recovered when Putintseva briefly levelled the first set and then raced to a 4-0 lead in the second.

Liudmila Samsonova defeated Janice Tjen 7-6(9), 7-5. Samsonova saved two set points during an 11-9 opening tiebreak and broke in the final game of the match.

Taylor Townsend beat Tereza Valentova 6-4, 7-5. Service breaks appeared throughout the contest, but Townsend secured the decisive break in the final game of both sets.

Elena-Gabriela Ruse defeated Peyton Stearns 6-0, 7-5. Stearns led 4-0 in the second set after losing the first without winning a game, only for Ruse to take seven of the final eight games.

Antonia Ruzic recovered from a set down to beat Lois Boisson 4-6, 6-1, 6-3. The match had been delayed from Sunday, and Ruzic established control once play resumed.

Caty McNally defeated Tatjana Maria 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-1. McNally survived a volatile second set, then moved to a 5-0 lead in the decider.

Anna Bondar beat Anna Kalinina 6-4, 7-5. Both sets ended with Bondar breaking in the final game.

Rebecca Sramkova defeated Anna Blinkova 6-3, 6-3, while Lanlana Tararudee beat Emerson Jones 7-6(2), 6-2.

Alycia Parks advanced with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva. Parks broke six times and recovered after nearly losing a 5-1 second-set advantage.

Renata Zarazua defeated Tamara Korpatsch 6-4, 0-6, 6-1. Zarazua responded to losing the second set without winning a game by breaking Korpatsch in all four of the German’s service games during the decider.

Biggest Day 3 Winners

Kayla Cross

No result carried greater personal significance. Cross entered without a WTA Tour main-draw victory and left Centre Court with a win over an established opponent. She also handled the pressure of closing both sets in front of a home audience.

Gabriel Diallo

Diallo’s victory became more impressive because of the way he earned it. He was outplayed in the opening-set tiebreak, changed his court position and dominated the final two sets.

Nikola Bartunkova

Bartunkova saved three set points, overturned a 5-2 deficit and defeated a former champion in straight sets. The scoreline will draw attention, but her emotional resilience created the upset.

Daria Kasatkina

Kasatkina survived a set and 4-1 deficit, then recovered again when Wang served for the match in the third set. Few first-round victories demand that level of repeated problem-solving.

Gael Monfils

Monfils entered with farewell attention surrounding every appearance. He kept the occasion from overwhelming the match and advanced in straight sets.

Mariano Navone

Navone defeated one of the most dangerous unseeded players in the draw and showed his game can survive a demanding outdoor hard-court contest.

The Toughest Day 3 Defeats

Bianca Andreescu

Andreescu held three set points at 5-2 and 40-love. Losing the next six games changed the entire match and will make this defeat particularly difficult to process.

Xinyu Wang

Wang led by a set and 4-1, then served for the match at 5-3 in the third. She created two strong opportunities to finish and could not convert either.

Diane Parry

Parry served for the match at 5-3 in the deciding set before losing the final four games and 16 of the last 19 points.

Eva Lys

Lys appeared close to victory before her physical condition deteriorated. The retirement creates immediate concern ahead of the remaining hard-court schedule.

Matteo Berrettini

Berrettini forced a deciding set but could not impose his serve and forehand for long enough to escape Navone’s physical examination.

Key Second-Round Matchups Created

The first-round results have produced several compelling second-round contests as the seeded players enter the tournament.

Gabriel Diallo vs Luciano Darderi

Diallo will face the No. 19 seed after his comeback against Jacquet. The Canadian needs a stronger opening than he produced in the first round. Darderi will bring heavier baseline pressure and greater confidence during extended rallies.

Marin Cilic vs Frances Tiafoe

Cilic’s serve against Tiafoe’s movement and return position creates one of the more recognizable early matchups in Montreal. Cilic must shorten points, while Tiafoe will look to force the veteran into repeated lateral movement.

Juncheng Shang vs Andrey Rublev

Shang completed his first-round victory on Sunday and now faces the No. 10 seed. Rublev will attempt to control the match through pace and early ball striking. Shang’s ability to redirect that power will determine whether the contest becomes competitive.

Gael Monfils’ Next Test

Monfils moves forward with confidence after a controlled opening win. His next match will place greater physical demands on him and provide a clearer indication of how much tennis he can sustain during his final Montreal run.

Kayla Cross’ Opportunity

Cross now enters a second round where the surprise factor will be reduced. Her next opponent will know she can compete under pressure and will test whether the Canadian can reproduce the same level after the emotional high of a career-first victory.

Nikola Bartunkova’s Path Opens

Defeating Andreescu gives Bartunkova more than progression. She now carries the confidence of surviving a near-certain first-set defeat and closing the match without allowing the former champion back into the contest.

What Day 3 Revealed About the National Bank Open Draws

The expanded tournament format has changed the rhythm of the opening rounds.

Seeded players receive time to arrive, recover and prepare while unseeded players and qualifiers fight through a large first-round program. That structure creates an immediate contrast in the second round. Some players enter fresh. Others arrive with competitive timing but also physical fatigue.

Altmaier, Navone, Droguet, Mejia, McNally, Kasatkina, Joint and Day all survived long matches. Their next opponents may have played no competitive tennis in Montreal or Toronto but will carry fresher legs.

There is no automatic advantage. Match rhythm can matter as much as rest, especially during the first week of the North American hard-court swing.

The tournament also remains shaped by absence. Sinner and Djokovic are missing Montreal, while other players are managing injuries and selective schedules before the US Open. Djokovic’s expected return later in the swing is covered in The Sports Encounter’s analysis of his Cincinnati plans and US Open record chase.

Toronto carries its own uncertainty. Jessica Pegula arrived after losing the delayed Washington final to Alexandra Eala, a result that added another major chapter to the Filipina’s rise. Readers can revisit that breakthrough through The Sports Encounter’s report on Eala’s victory over Pegula in Washington.

Those recent results matter because hard-court momentum moves quickly. A title run can create confidence and fatigue at the same time. An early defeat can provide rest while raising doubts about form.

Why the Rain Backlog Matters Beyond Day 3

Rain affected more than the order of play.

Players scheduled for Sunday spent much of the day waiting, warming up and receiving changing information. Many returned Monday only to face additional delays in Montreal.

That disruption creates several hidden costs:

• Repeated warmups increase physical load without producing competitive progress.
• Meal timing becomes difficult when start times change.
• Players struggle to manage energy when they do not know whether they will compete in 30 minutes or several hours.
• Late finishes reduce recovery time before the next round.
• Postponed matches create uneven preparation across the draw.

The expanded 12-day format gives organizers more room to absorb delays than a traditional one-week tournament. It also means players remain engaged with the event for longer, increasing the importance of recovery routines and mental patience.

Weather has already influenced several recent tournaments. Taylor Fritz’s Washington final was delayed before he defeated Rafael Jodar, a result covered in The Sports Encounter’s report on Fritz’s Mubadala DC Open title.

Montreal and Toronto now move into a stage where delays can have larger competitive consequences. A first-round winner may be asked to face a seeded opponent with little recovery, while another section of the draw follows the intended schedule.

What to Watch on Day 4

Day 4 will combine remaining first-round matches in Montreal with the beginning of the seeded second round.

Stefanos Tsitsipas, Denis Shapovalov, Jack Draper, Hubert Hurkacz and Liam Draxl are among the players expected to complete opening-round business after weather affected Monday’s schedule.

The evening program introduces higher-ranked opponents. Tiafoe faces Cilic, Darderi meets Diallo and Rublev begins against Shang.

Each contest carries a different question.

Can Cilic use his serve to take time away from Tiafoe? Will Diallo maintain the level he found during the final two sets against Jacquet? Can Shang absorb Rublev’s pace without being pushed too far behind the baseline?

Toronto will also move deeper into the second round, where Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula and other leading seeds begin shaping the women’s tournament.

The movement from the first round to the seeded phase changes the level of scrutiny. Early survivors must now prove that their opening victories can translate against players expected to compete for the title.

Readers can follow all tournament reports, analysis and player stories through The Sports Encounter’s Tennis Hub.

Day 3 Verdict

Day 3 did not belong to the highest-ranked players. Most of the leading seeds had yet to strike a ball.

It belonged to the competitors who survived the waiting, the weather and the emotional pressure of the first round.

Cross turned a home wildcard into the first WTA Tour victory of her career. Diallo recovered from a poor tiebreak and played his way into a far stronger level. Bartunkova refused to disappear when Andreescu held three set points. Kasatkina survived two losing positions. Monfils made sure his Montreal farewell began with another win.

The day also delivered painful exits. Andreescu’s defeat will remain difficult because the opening set was within her control. Zhao’s farewell ended after a committed three-set fight. Marino and Brace could not create enough return pressure. Galarneau stayed close without finding the break he needed.

Montreal’s rain delays prevented a perfectly clean transition into the second round, but the tournament made enough progress to establish its first real storylines.

Canada’s 2-5 record tells one part of the story. Cross and Diallo tell the more hopeful part.

Both won matches that demanded emotional control. Both now move into rounds where opponents will be stronger, preparation more detailed and margins smaller.

Day 3 finally gave the National Bank Open a competitive identity. The next stage will reveal whether its breakthrough players can stay visible once the leading seeds enter the conversation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on Day 3 of the 2026 National Bank Open?

Day 3 completed the remaining WTA first-round program in Toronto and most of the rain-delayed ATP first round in Montreal. Kayla Cross and Gabriel Diallo earned Canadian victories, while Bianca Andreescu, Rebecca Marino, Cadence Brace, Carol Zhao and Alexis Galarneau were eliminated.

Who was the biggest Canadian winner on Day 3?

Kayla Cross produced the biggest Canadian breakthrough by defeating Katie Boulter 7-6(3), 7-5 for the first WTA Tour main-draw victory of her career.

Did Gabriel Diallo win in Montreal?

Yes. Diallo recovered from a set down to defeat qualifier Kyrian Jacquet 6-7(1), 6-3, 6-2.

Who will Gabriel Diallo play next?

Diallo will face No. 19 seed Luciano Darderi in the second round.

Did Bianca Andreescu win her opening match?

No. Andreescu lost 7-5, 6-2 to Nikola Bartunkova after leading 5-2 and 40-love in the opening set.

How many Canadian players won on Day 3?

Two Canadians won singles matches. Kayla Cross advanced in Toronto and Gabriel Diallo moved forward in Montreal.

What was Canada’s Day 3 singles record?

Canadian players finished with two wins and five defeats across the completed ATP and WTA matches.

Did Gael Monfils win in Montreal?

Yes. Monfils defeated Kamil Majchrzak 6-4, 6-4 in his opening match.

Who defeated Matteo Berrettini?

Mariano Navone defeated Berrettini 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-3.

What was the biggest WTA comeback of Day 3?

Daria Kasatkina produced the strongest comeback by recovering from a set and 4-1 down against Xinyu Wang. Wang also served for the match at 5-3 in the third set before Kasatkina won 1-6, 7-6(5), 7-5.

Which players retired in Toronto?

Eva Lys, Polina Kudermetova and Elisabetta Cocciaretto retired from their first-round matches.

Why were some Montreal matches moved to Day 4?

Rain repeatedly interrupted the Montreal schedule. Several first-round matches could not be completed and were officially moved into Tuesday’s program.

Which important second-round matchups were created?

Confirmed matchups include Gabriel Diallo against Luciano Darderi, Marin Cilic against Frances Tiafoe and Juncheng Shang against Andrey Rublev.

Where can fans find official National Bank Open scores and schedules?

Fans can follow confirmed results, live scores, draws and schedules through the official National Bank Open website.

Where is the ATP National Bank Open being played?

The men’s ATP Masters 1000 tournament is being played at IGA Stadium in Montreal.

Where is the WTA National Bank Open being played?

The women’s WTA 1000 tournament is being played at Sobeys Stadium in Toronto.

When will the 2026 National Bank Open finals be played?

The men’s and women’s singles finals are scheduled for August 13, 2026.