women's final showdown at the Canadian Open approaches
Unseeded Players Make History at the Canadian Open
The Canadian Open tennis tournament, a prestigious event in the tennis world, has seen a rare occurrence in its history. For the first time in 46 years and the third time in the Open Era, two unseeded players will contest the finals.
In the women's singles, Leylah Fernandez Mboko and Naomi Osaka will go head-to-head in a closely contested match. Mboko's journey to the finals has been nothing short of remarkable. She saved a match point to win her semi-finals round against Elena Rybakina, adding to her wins over Grand Slam winners Coco Gauff and Sofia Kenin.
Osaka, on the other hand, has more experience in finals, having reached five WTA 1000 finals in her career, the most by an Asian player. She booked her spot in the finals with a 6-2, 7-6 victory over Clara Tauson in the semi-finals.
This marks the first time since the inception of the WTA 1000 format in 2009 that two players ranked outside the Top 40 will contest the final. Mboko's win in 2025 was also historic as she became the second wildcard in the Open Era—and the lowest-ranked player (No. 85)—to win the Canadian Open.
Naomi Osaka won the 2020 US Open title but lost to Victoria Azarenka in the Cincinnati Open title. She made a comeback to the sport after dealing with mental health issues and giving birth. This final will be a chance for her to send a strong message with a win.
Mboko's backhand has been a notable aspect of her game throughout the tournament. Her route to the finals has shown her ability to overcome tough opponents, a trait that will be crucial in the upcoming match against Osaka.
The men's side of the tournament has a less highlighted history of unseeded players reaching the final. Notably, Roger Federer was unseeded during his 2000 debut but lost in the first round. Later, as a top player, Federer reached multiple finals but as a seeded player. No specific mention was made of unseeded men reaching the final, suggesting it is very rare or uncommon in recent decades among men.
The Canadian Open, established in 1881, alternates between Toronto and Montreal annually. The women’s finals with two unseeded players are very rare—only the 1977, 1979, and 2025 finals fit this criteria. This shows that unseeded players reaching the women's final at this event is exceptional but possible, with recent trends highlighting increasing occurrences in top-level finals.
Mboko's victory in 2025 stands out as a watershed moment for unseeded players, illustrating the potential for breakthrough performances at this tournament. For men, this phenomenon is historically even rarer at this high-profile tournament.
This year, Mboko will become the fourth Canadian finalist in the Canadian Open, the first in six years since Bianca Andreescu in 2019. Osaka, on the other hand, will aim to add another title to her collection, having never reached multiple finals in a single calendar year for five years until now.
The finals are expected to be a closely contested match, possibly going to three sets. Regardless of the outcome, both players have shown remarkable resilience and skill throughout the tournament, making for an exciting finale.
The Canadian Open, known for its prestigious status in the world of sports and tennis, has witnessed an unusual occurrence this year, as two unseeded players, Leylah Fernandez Mboko and Naomi Osaka, will compete in the finals of the women's singles, a first since 1979. This event also marks a significant opportunity for fans to engage in tennis betting, given the unpredictable nature of the tournament this year.
