After a rain-affected start to the 2026 National Bank Open, the action ramps up on Tuesday as top seeds debut at the Toronto WTA 1000 event. This set of LWOT predictions features World No. 1 and defending US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka.
WTA Toronto Day 3 Predictions
Maja Chwalinska vs Talia Gibson
Head-to-head: First meeting
Can Chwalinska get her first win since making tennis history in Paris this year? The Polish No. 2 faced an injury blow in her Wimbledon match, and will now have to play the North American hard court swing for the first time. It’ll be interesting to see if her variety can hold up on fast courts. Gibson snapped a four-match losing streak on Monday, though the match did end in a retirement. The Aussie’s ranking has slipped, and despite her power, this seems like a good opportunity for Chwalinska to work her way into a big hard-court win.
Prediction: Chwalinska in 3
Camila Osorio vs Ekaterina Alexandrova
Head-to-head: Osorio 3-0
It hasn’t been the best 2026 for Alexandrova, and her season took another nosedive after heat forced her out of the WTA Memphis first round late; it was a brutal exit to the eventual champion and 16-year-old star Kristina Liutova. Osorio has gotten some big wins on hard courts this year, including one over Iva Jovic in Indian Wells, and her counterpunching makes her a big threat against heavy-hitters like Alexandrova. She has more confidence behind her at the moment, and Osorio does dominate the head-to-head against the higher-ranked player.
Prediction: Osorio in 3
Zhang Shuai vs Jelena Ostapenko
Head-to-head: Ostapenko 2-0
Ostapenko is one win from possibly facing her foe Aryna Sabalenka, but in the way, Zhang possesses a tough style of tennis, with big forehands and early strikes of the ball. The pair haven’t faced off since 2019. Zhang is 9-15 on the season, struggling with her form in bigger tournaments, though Ostapenko does have a rough 5-9 record at the Montreal event, according to Tennis Abstract. Still, I think the No. 26 seed will win in a close one, with her high-risk game paying off.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 3
Aryna Sabalenka vs Moyuka Uchijima
Head-to-head: Sabalenka 1-0
Sabalenka cruised past Uchijima, the Japanese No. 2, in their only meeting, which took place at the 2024 French Open. Uchijima has an intriguing game, with variety and counterpunching, but Sabalenka’s power will be able to break through all of the underdog’s tricks. Look for Sabalenka to advance comfortably.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
