Monday Digest: Dabrowski Off and Running at WTA Finals

Gabriela Dabrowski comes into the 2024 WTA Finals looking to become the first Canadian woman ever to reach the final at the year-end championships.  

She and Erin Routliffe have been one of the best teams in the world since joining forces in the summer of 2023 and will look to reinforce it as the eight best pairs look to end the season with a trophy. 

Here’s what you need to know. 

What to Watch: Dabrowski Flies the Flag at Year-End Championships 

Gabriela Dabrowski is looking to finish the WTA season with a bang this week as she and Erin Routliffe are the second seeds at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.  

The pair are the highest-seeded team in the White Group and have already picked up a win, beating Hao Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in their opening match of the group stage on Sunday. Also in their group are the Olympic champions Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini and the National Bank Open champions Carolina Dolehide and Desirae Krawczyk. 

There are two groups of four teams in the round robin, with the top two teams in each group advancing to the semifinals.  

It is Dabrowski’s sixth appearance at the WTA Finals. Her best result came a year ago in Cancun when she and Routliffe reached the semis.  

Read also: Qinwen Zheng and the Emergence of Chinese Tennis

Denis Shapovalov is the lone Canadian man competing in the final week of regular ATP Tour events. He qualified for the 250 in Belgrade, Serbia and defeated Marton Fucsovics in three sets on Monday to set a round-two clash with fifth seed Nuno Borges.  

The Canadian could meet either Daniel Altmaier or Christopher O’Connell in the quarter-finals. His projected semifinal opponent, and the highest-ranked player in his half of the draw, is No. 4 seed Jiri Lehecka. Shapovalov cannot meet the top seed, Alex de Minaur, until the final. 

In Case You Missed It: Fernandez Just Misses Title Defence 

Leylah Annie Fernadez was trying to successfully defend a title for the second time in her career last week at the Hong Kong Tennis Open but came up two wins short. 

The defending champion cruised into the semifinals without losing a set, beating Heather Watson, Kimberly Birrell, and Bernarda Pera. However, she was unable to keep her perfect record against Diana Shnaider alive, falling to the top seed and eventual champion in the last four in straight sets. 

Marina Stakusic was looking to keep the good times rolling in Mexico after winning her first WTA 125 title the previous week in Tampico, this time on the WTA main tour at a 250 event in Merida. She battled past Maya Joint in a first-round epic but fell in round two to Nina Stojanovic in straight sets. 

Rebecca Marino was also competing in Merida but lost in the first round to Maja Chwalinska. 

Under the Radar: Close Call for Cross 

A week after Canada got shut out of the finals in Saguenay, the host nation had a shot at a trophy at the ITF W75 Tevlin Challenger in Toronto where Kayla Cross reached the singles final. However, she was unable to grab the winner’s trophy, falling to Louisa Chirico in the title match. 

Click here to read the full Tevlin recap.

Carson Branstine had a career milestone last week, picking up her first match win at a WTA event when she beat Anouk Koevermans in straight sets at the WTA 125 event in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Unfortunately, she had to retire in the second round. 

Domestic ITF action continues in Canada this week. It’s the men’s turn to compete as SSaint-Augustin-de Desmaures, QC, hosts an ITF M25 event full of Canadian competitors, led by Edmonton champion Liam Draxl. 

There is also a large Canadian contingent competing just over the border at the WTA 125 event in Midland, Michigan, including Billie Jean King Cup team members Rebecca Marino and Marina Stakusic. 

You can follow the Canadians in action every week here.