Caty McNally produced one of the biggest upsets at the Canadian Open 2026 on Wednesday, knocking out Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova 7-6 (5), 6-1 in the second round in Toronto. The result was among several notable developments, with Alexandra Eala also advancing after beating Alycia Parks, while Elena Rybakina and Jessica Pegula survived three-set tests. Coco Gauff, Mirra Andreeva and Naomi Osaka also moved into the third round.
Caty McNally Stuns Wimbledon Champion Linda Noskova
Playing her first match since lifting the Wimbledon title more than three weeks ago, sixth-seeded Noskova appeared in control early on after racing to a 5-1 lead in the opening set. McNally, however, refused to let the Czech star settle, breaking Noskova twice to level the set at 5-5 before forcing a tiebreak.
The American, ranked No. 70 in the world, then took advantage of Noskova’s struggles on serve, winning four of her six service points in the tiebreak to claim the opening set after 62 minutes.
Noskova’s problems only intensified in the second set. The Wimbledon champion managed to land just 32% of her first serves and won only 33 of the 51 points played as McNally completed a remarkable victory.
“It’s never easy playing anyone, but especially a Wimbledon champion,” McNally said in her on-court interview. “And she’s really dangerous, so I had to just focus on my side of the net. Even at the end, she’s gonna go out swinging. Just trying to do what I do best.”
Alexandra Eala Advances as Top Seeds Survive
Eala continued her strong run after winning the Mubadala DC Open, defeating Alycia Parks 6-1, 4-6, 6-2 in the final match of the night. The Philippine star overcame a second-set setback to secure her place in the third round.
Several other seeded players also advanced, although Rybakina and Pegula were pushed to three sets. Second seed Rybakina defeated Daria Kasatkina 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, while third seed Pegula recovered from losing the opening set to beat Magdalena Frech 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Rybakina produced a typically powerful but erratic display, hitting 15 aces while also committing 16 double faults. She broke Kasatkina early in the deciding set and saved two break points in the eighth game before sealing victory in her first hard-court match of the summer.
Pegula, who faced Frech for the second time in a week after their meeting at the Mubadala DC Open, had to dig deep after losing the opening set.
“She’s a tough opponent, makes you play a lot of balls, makes you have to really beat her, and competes very well,” Pegula said. “I think having to face an opponent like that back-to-back is never easy, especially with a quick turnaround this week.”
No. 4 Coco Gauff defeated Kayla Day 6-2, 7-5, while No. 5 Mirra Andreeva eased past Karolina Pliskova 6-0, 6-2. Naomi Osaka also advanced with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Panna Udvardy, while Belinda Bencic beat Sloane Stephens 6-3, 6-1.
Other winners included Iva Jovic, Elise Mertens, Ann Li, Maria Sakkari and home favourite Leylah Fernandez.
Four other seeded players exited the tournament. Maya Joint defeated No. 14 Sorana Cirstea 6-4, 6-4, Taylor Townsend beat No. 21 Marie Bouzkova 7-6 (4), 7-5, Luidmila Samsonova ousted No. 22 Barbora Krejcikova 6-1, 7-5, and Alina Korneeva eliminated No. 23 Emma Navarro 6-2, 6-2.
(With inputs from Reuters)
