Top US Open Series Breakout Contenders: Rogers Cup

5

Dayana Yastremska

Yastremska is one of the very few WTA players to win two titles this year (Hua Hin and Strasbourg). The 19-year-old Ukrainian has shot up to No. 33 in the world after starting 2019 at No. 59. In her last event before coming to Toronto, she reached her first Grand Slam round of 16, at Wimbledon. She's scored wins over Aryna Sabalenka, Caroline Garcia, Garbine Muguruza and, on Monday in Toronto, Johanna Konta.

Beginning last year, the US Open Series recognized one man and one woman for “Breakout Performance" and as we get deeper into the summer, the contenders are getting more and more serious.

With Atlanta, San Jose and Washington in the rearview mirror, let's take a look at possible breakout contenders from the Rogers Cup in Toronto and Montreal.

1

Denis Shapovalov

Though he's riding a five-match losing streak, Shapovalov made magic at the Rogers Cup in 2017 when he announced himself to the ATP tour. The 20-year-old reached the semifinals two years ago, and the round of 16 in Toronto last year. He's 15-16 on the year, but he's still ranked No. 32 and will be getting the lift he needs as a local favorite.

2

Nick Kyrgios

The 24-year-old Australian is always full of surprises. Last week, he put on a series of stellar performances to win his sixth career ATP title, at the Citi Open in Washington. His ranking is up to No. 27, but he's unseeded this week in Montreal and has a challenging draw with Kyle Edmund in the first round and Daniil Medvedev (who he just beat in the Washington final) awaiting him in round two.

3

Bianca Andreescu

It's been a while since the Canadian teen has been healthy as she's struggled with a shoulder injury. Since winning Indian Wells in March as a wild card entry, she's played just two tournaments, retiring from both.

The 19-year-old is set to make her highly anticipated return in Toronto, where she's drawn compatriot Eugenie Bouchard in the very first round.

4

Iga Swiatek

The Polish 18-year-old made a big splash at the French Open, where she reached the fourth round. She hasn't quite found her rhythm on grass or hard courts yet, but don't count the world No. 66 out. She qualified for Toronto with two strong straight-set wins over Shelby Rogers and Heather Watson, and faces Ajla Tomljanovic in the first round.

5

Dayana Yastremska

Yastremska is one of the very few WTA players to win two titles this year (Hua Hin and Strasbourg). The 19-year-old Ukrainian has shot up to No. 33 in the world after starting 2019 at No. 59. In her last event before coming to Toronto, she reached her first Grand Slam round of 16, at Wimbledon. She's scored wins over Aryna Sabalenka, Caroline Garcia, Garbine Muguruza and, on Monday in Toronto, Johanna Konta.

Last year, Stefanos Tsitsipas earned the US Open Series Breakout Performer award with his rocket-ride to the Rogers Cup final in Toronto, where he took out Dominic Thiem, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev and Kevin Anderson.

Arnya Sabalenka was awarded Breakout Performer after her sizzling summer where she reached the semifinals of Cincinnati by defeating three Top-15 players: Caroline Garcia, Karolina Pliskova, and Madison Keys. The very next week she captured her first WTA Premier title in New Haven.