The 2026 National Bank Open is heading into its most important weekend, with the round of 16 set to decide which players stay alive in Montreal and Toronto. The men’s field has already been shaken up by major upsets, while the women’s draw still features most of its biggest names.
The next two days will narrow each event to eight remaining contenders, and the schedule should deliver some of the tournament’s clearest pressure matches so far.
What the Weekend Schedule Looks Like
The round of 16 is scheduled for Saturday, August 8, and Sunday, August 9, 2026. In Montreal, the ATP matches are held at IGA Stadium, with center-court daytime sessions starting at 12:30 p.m. and evening sessions beginning at 6 p.m. In Toronto, the WTA sessions start at 12:30 p.m. during the day and 7 p.m. at night.
Each city will host eight singles matches across the weekend, and the winners move on to the quarterfinals on Monday, August 10, and Tuesday, August 11. The exact order of play is typically confirmed the day before each session, since weather and match length can shift the schedule.
Montreal Has Become an Open Door
The men’s draw in Montreal has turned unpredictable after several early exits. Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, Taylor Fritz, and Andrey Rublev all lost before the event reached its later stages, and Félix Auger-Aliassime withdrew because of a back injury. That kind of turnover has left the bracket far more open than expected.
Ben Shelton remains one of the strongest names left. The defending champion opened with a straight-sets win over Jenson Brooksby, and his serve-heavy style fits well on Montreal’s fast surface. Casper Ruud also remains firmly in the mix after a dominant first-round result, and his hard-court experience gives him a real chance to capitalize on the chaos.
Several younger players have also used the upsets to build momentum. João Fonseca impressed by knocking out Stefanos Tsitsipas, Arthur Fils advanced in three sets, and Tallon Griekspoor turned heads by rallying past Zverev after dropping the first set. In a draw this fractured, confidence may matter as much as ranking.
Toronto’s Top Seeds Still Control the Narrative
The women’s draw has been steadier, with Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff, and Mirra Andreeva all moving forward. That keeps Toronto’s title race centered around the players most people expected to contend from the start.
Sabalenka has looked especially sharp. Her opening win extended her hard-court winning streak to 13 matches, and her power game continues to translate well on Toronto’s quicker courts. If she keeps that level, she remains the player everyone else must chase.
Rybakina, though, showed both sides of her game in a three-set battle with Daria Kasatkina. Her serve and clean ball-striking can overwhelm almost anyone, but her error count left room for concern. Pegula also had to work hard, coming back from a set down before pulling away, while Gauff relied on her movement and defense to handle her opener.
Andreeva may have made the cleanest statement of all. Her 6-0, 6-2 win over Karolina Pliskova was fast, efficient, and composed, and it underlined how quickly she is adapting to hard courts after her French Open breakthrough.
Canada’s Final Hope Is Leylah Fernandez
Canadian interest now rests almost entirely on Leylah Fernandez. She became the last home player standing in either singles draw after a straightforward win over Renata Zarazúa, and she did it in front of a supportive Toronto crowd.
Her next test is Elise Mertens, a smart and experienced opponent who can force long rallies and expose lapses in concentration. Fernandez will need to stay aggressive and take time away from the Belgian if she wants to extend her run. For local fans, this is the matchup that matters most.
The rest of the Canadian story has been rough. Auger-Aliassime never got the chance to play his opener, and Gabriel Diallo’s promising start ended with a retirement against Luciano Darderi. That leaves Fernandez carrying the home-country spotlight into the weekend.
How to Follow the Matches and What to Expect
- Check the official order of play before each session, since match timing can change quickly.
- Follow the Montreal afternoon and evening sessions for the men’s round of 16.
- Watch Toronto’s day and night sessions for the women’s third-round action.
- Track the top seeds closely, because both draws still have room for surprise results.
- Keep an eye on Fernandez if Canadian fans want a live local storyline to follow through the weekend.
In Canada, Sportsnet and TVA Sports are the official broadcasters for the tournament, with live coverage also available through their digital platforms. That makes it easy for viewers to switch between Montreal and Toronto as the round of 16 unfolds.
By Sunday night, the field will be trimmed to the final eight in each event, and the 2026 National Bank Open should have a much clearer shape. Montreal feels wide open, Toronto still runs through the favorites, and Fernandez remains the last Canadian hope standing in a week that has already produced plenty of drama.