No Canadian players qualified for the singles draws at the U.S. Open after Bianca Andreescu and Liam Draxl were defeated in the final round matches on Friday. Andreescu lost to Tamara Zidansek of Slovenia in a close match where she struggled on net points despite firing seven aces. Draxl also faced a tough match against Australia’s Tristan Schoolkate, ultimately losing in a tight contest.
Both players fought hard, with Schoolkate securing a crucial break in the third set to take the lead. Moving forward, Montreal’s Felix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov of Richmond Hill, Ont., will represent Canada in the men’s main draw, while Leylah Fernandez of Laval, Que., will compete on the women’s side.
Meanwhile, Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula commended the U.S. Open for its record prize money allocation and the establishment of a Grand Slam player advisory council. Sabalenka emphasized the importance of improving player compensation and expressed optimism about the recent developments fostering better relations between players and tournament organizers.
Pegula highlighted the collaborative efforts between male and female players that have led to positive outcomes, including increased prize money and player welfare contributions. The initiatives reflect the ongoing push by players to have a greater say in shaping the future of tennis, which has traditionally faced criticism for its fragmented structure.