Elina Svitolina makes quick start in Toronto, beats Shelby Rogers to enter second round

Elina Svitolina got off to a great start at the National Bank Open presented by Rogers on Tuesday in Toronto after a 6-0, 6-2 victory over American Shelby Rogers.

The former champion Svitolina secured her spot in the second round in just one hour and ten minutes, increasing her record against Rogers to 5-0 in their head-to-head match.

Svitolina broke service Six times, saved six of the seven break points she faced, and won 60% of the points on both serves and returns. She was unbeatable in every aspect of the match.

Svitolina is now 13-7 in her career at the Canadian WTA 1000 event, and is competing in Toronto this week for the first time since 2019. She was on maternity leave when the event was last held in Toronto in 2021.

Svitolina will next face her countrywoman, No.11 seed Marta Kostyuk, who also had an uncomplicated opening victory 6-0, 6-2 over Germany’s Tatjana Maria.

The two Ukrainians have only played once previously — a 6-2, 6-2 win for Svitolina in the third round of the 2018 Australian Open — when Kostyuk was 15 years old and Svitolina was a Top 5 player.

Elsewhere, world no.85 global number 85 At the National Bank Open, Lesia Tsurenko returned from a set down to ruin Bianca Andreescu’s homecoming.

Tsurenko upset the 2019 champion by winning 0-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the opening round after the other player had lost the first seven games of the tournament.

Tsurenko, who finished in the quarterfinals in Toronto nine years prior, ended a three-match losing streak with the victory.

The No. 10 seed Anna Kalinskaya, who defeated American qualifier Louisa Chirico 6-2, 6-3, will next face Tsurenko.

Yulia Putintseva withdrew from the competition due to a knee injury, and Taylor Townsend entered the main draw as a lucky loser. With the American ahead 6-3, 3-1, Dayana Yastremska, the 16th seed, pulled out due to a right shoulder injury, sending Townsend to the second round.

The evening was concluded by Greet Minnen defeating Sloane Stephens 6-2, 6-2. In the second round, the Belgian will take on Victoria Azarenka.