Formerly known as the Rogers Cup, the National Bank Open is Canada’s best-known tennis tournament. Although not a Grand Slam, the National Bank Open is a massive event and draws some of the best in the world to compete for their shot at victory. The tournament wrapped up this year with an impressive list of winners in the men’s and women’s doubles and singles, but one winner, in particular, stood out, due to the fact that she won her country’s biggest tournament: Gabriela Dabrowski.
Tennis fans across the nation and around the world tuned into this important tournament, which was played in Montreal. Whether you were watching as a fan, or as a sports bettor, there was much to cheer for. Tennis tournaments are massive betting events, attracting a ton of bettor attention, and the National Bank Open was no different. If you’re looking for some of the best places to throw down tennis bets, the most popular Canadian sports betting sites all have odds for big tournaments, so you can earn money on the next Canadian champion.
Gabriela Dabrowski took home the prestigious doubles championship, alongside her partner, Brazilian Luisa Stefani. The two were seeded as the 5th seed entering the tournament, and they went on an epic run of dominance to stake their claim as the most talented duo in the bracket. Following a close battle in the round of 32, Dabrowski and Stefani did not lose a single set for the rest of the tournament.
Dabrowski and Stefani took on the number one seeded team of the tournament in the quarterfinal round, prevailing against Elise Mertens and Aryna Sabalenka 6-2, 6-2. Following that major victory, they took on unranked pair Elena Ryabinka and Veronika Kudermetova 6-2, 6-3. Then, in the finals, the powerful two upended the 6th seeded team of Darija Kurak and Andreja Klepac 6-3, 6-4 to earn their crown.
The results of this tournament are particularly thrilling because no Canadian woman has won the doubles bracket of the Canadian Open tournament since 1969 when the tournament featured a lot less international talent. Dabrowski winning on home court is a rare moment that Canadians will appreciate, and comes at a time when Canadian tennis appears to be on the rise.
Bianca Andreescu ushered in a new era of Canadian tennis in 2019 when she won the U.S Open against Serena Williams. It was the first time a Canadian tennis player has ever won a singles Grand Slam tournament, showcasing how far the game has come. Dabrowski marks the continuation of that great success with her track record of doubles dominance.
Gabriela Dabrowski is 29 years old and has had an illustrious career, primarily as a doubles player. As a singles player, her highest ever WTP ranking was 164. As a doubles player, her highest WTP ranking was 7. She’s never won a non-mixed doubles Grand Slam, although she reached the 2019 Wimbledon Final. She has however won multiple mixed doubles Grand Slams, triumphing in the 2017 French Open and the 2018 Australian Open.
While the National Bank Open victory was the first win at the biggest Canadian tennis event of her career, it may not be the last. Dabrowski appears to be in her prime, making deep runs at several important tournaments. With other Canadian players such as Andreescu, Milos Raonic, Denis Shapovalov, and Felix Auger Aliassame rising up the world tennis rankings, the future of Canadian tennis is bright. Dabrowski and Stefani’s victory marked a major moment in the history of Canadian tennis, but the future should be filled with important victories like this one, so stay tuned.