Monday’s most compelling matchups at the National Bank Open

After a weekend of qualifying in extreme heat, the National Bank Open picks up steam on Monday when the main draw for the women’s in Toronto and the men’s in Montreal begins.

While the schedule looks fun, the only issue might be the weather, with rain in both cities.

Here’s a look at the most compelling matchups at both venues on opening day.

Women’s Headliners

No.13 Leylah Annie Fernandez (Canada) v Qualifier Storm Sanders (Australia), 7pm ET/4pm PT

Fernandez of Laval, Que., is playing her first match since suffering a grade 3 stress fracture in her right foot in a quarterfinal loss at the French Open on May 31.

The 19-year-old Canadian has a favorable draw and meets a player who is ranked outside the top 200.

Sanders has yet to win a match in a main draw this year.

Men’s headliners

Denis Shapovalov (Canada) vs. Alex de Minaur (Australia), 6:30pm ET / 3:30pm PT

Shapovalov, of Richmond Hill, Ontario, has slipped to 22nd in the rankings as of Sunday after losing seven of his last eight games.

De Minaur was one place above him in 21st place.

The Australian is 2-0 for life against Shapovalov, who is hoping to repeat his magic from Montreal in 2017 when he stunned Rafael Nadal.

More highlights

Serena Williams (US) vs. ‘Lucky Loser’ Nuria Parrizas-Diaz (Spain), approx. 1pm ET / 10am PT

Williams, 40, will play an official singles match for the second time this year on Monday.

After losing the first round at Wimbledon, the 23-time Grand Slam champion begins hard-court preparation for the US Open against a player ranked outside the top 50.

Last time out in Toronto in 2019, Williams reached the final before retiring through injury in the first set against Canada’s Bianca Andreescu.

Andy Murray (UK) vs. No. 10 Taylor Fritz (US), not before 2pm ET/11am PT

With Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal absent from Montreal, Murray is the only player from this well-known foursome to feature on the pitch.

Murray, now 35, will be an underdog against Fritz. The Brit reached a final at the Stuttgart Open in June, but was eliminated in the second round of Wimbledon at home.

Fritz was struggling with a foot injury and stopped playing a match last week in the third set in Washington, where temperatures were very high.

Fritz said the injury prevented him from going about his usual fitness routine.

Full lady plan

Center Court (starts at 11:00 a.m. ET)

[15] Simona Halep (ROU) vs. [LL] Donna Vekic (CRO)

[LL] Nuria Parrizas Diaz (ESP) vs Serena Williams (USA)

Sloane Stephens (USA) vs Sofia Kenin (USA)

Night Session (starts at 7:00 p.m. ET)

{Q]Storm Sanders (AUS) vs. [13] Leylah Annie Fernández (CAN)

Jill Teichman (SUI) vs. [WC] Venus Williams (USA)

National Bank Grandstand Square (starts at 11:00 a.m. ET)

Elena Rybakina (KAZ) vs. [Q] Marie Bouzkova (CZE)

Barbora Krejcikova (CZE) vs. [14] Karolina Pliskova (CZE)

Alize Cornet (FRA) vs. Caroline Garcia (FRA)

Petra Kvitova (CZE) vs Alison Riske-Amritraj (USA)

[WC] Katherine Sebov (CAN) vs Julia Putintseva (KAZ)

1st place (starts at 11:00am ET)

Beatriz Haddad Maia (BRA) vs. Martina Trevisan (ITA)

[16] Yelena Ostapenko (LAT) vs. Anhelina Kalinina (UKR)

[Q] Asia Muhammad (USA) vs. Madison Keys (USA)

Court 4 (12 p.m. ET)

[8] A Guarachi (CHI) / A Klepac (SLO) vs. [WC] R Marino (CAN) / C Zhao (CAN)

Complete Montreal schedule

Center Court (from 12:00 p.m.)

Stan Wawrinka (SUI) vs Emil Ruusuvuori (FIN)

Not before 2 p.m. ET: [WC] Andy Murray (GBR) vs. [10] Taylor Fritz (USA)

Night Session (starts at 6:30 p.m. ET)

Denis Shapovalov (CAN) vs. Alex de Minaur (AUS)

[12] Diego Schwartzman (ARG) vs. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (ESP)

Rogers Court (starts at 12 p.m. ET)

Francisco Cerundolo (ARG) vs. Karen Khachanov (RUS)

Alexander Bublik (KAZ) vs. Jenson Brooksby (USA)

[Q] Hugo Gaston (FRA) vs. [Q] Jack Draper (GBR)

Night Session (starts at 6:30 p.m. ET)

[Q] Marcos Giron (USA) vs. [14] Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP)

[Q] Fabio Fognini (ITA) vs. Holger Rune (DEN)

#9 (starts at 12:00 p.m. ET)

Alex Molcan (SVK) vs. Mackenzie McDonald (USA)

G Dimitrov (BUL) / A Rublev vs M Ebden (AUS) / M Purcell (AUS)

B. Bonzi (FRA) / G. Monfils (FRA) vs. [WC] V Pospisil (CAN) / J Sinner (ITA)

[Q] Adrian Mannarino (FRA) vs. [Q] Arthur Rinderknech (FRA)

5th place (starts at 1:00 p.m. ET)

[6] T. Pütz (GER) / M. Venus (NZL) vs.H. Hurkacz (POL) / J. Zielinski (POL)

J Murray (GBR) / B Soares (BRA) vs D Evans (GBR) / J Peers (AUS)

Sportsnet schedule

Women: 11 a.m. ET (Sportsnet ONE/SN NOW); 6:30 p.m. ET (SN NOW)

Men: 12 p.m. ET (Sportsnet/SN NOW); 6:30 p.m. ET (Sportsnet ONE)