2024 Canadian Open Finals: Pegula v Anismova, Rublev v Popyrin

It’s the final day of the Canadian Open played across two cities.

In Toronto, Jessica Pegula will try to defend her title against countrywoman Amanda Anisimova.

Pegula is having her best week of the season while the 22-year-old Anisimova is having her best week in years.

She entered the week ranked No. 132 and has assured herself a return to the Top 50. A title would move her back into the Top 40 and closing in on a potential seeding at the US Open. And it would be her biggest career title.

Anisimova is also playing in her first WTA final at any level since 2022 Melbourne, and bidding to win her first title since that event. Toronto is her first WTA 1000 final and she is trying to win her third career title.

“I knew that when I stepped away that I really wanted to come back and I didn’t want to finish my career on that note,” Anisimova said. “There was still a lot that I wanted to achieve, and just not finish at such a young age, because I had sacrificed so much and given so much to the sport. So, yeah, I knew that I still had many years that I wanted to play.”

Pegula will be the big favorite is what will be the end of a strange tournament.

“I would say I was probably playing better last year, but to be fair, it seems weird this week,” Pegula said. “I don’t feel like anyone’s playing, like, great tennis, it’s been kind of ugly matches. I don’t really know why.

“Getting a chance to defend my title is something that doesn’t always happen, so I’m excited that I get to put myself in a good spot tomorrow to do so. I think it’s cool to be, to have my name with a lot of other really big names in history that have either played well here or been able to defend the title as well, so it’s super special.”

In Montreal, after a crazy week of results Andrey Rublev will take on Alexei Popyrin this evening.

“The wait has been worth it. I’m happy to be in my first Canadian final.” Rublev said after his semifinal win over Matteo Arnaldi. “I just want to recover, rest well and be ready for tomorrow.

Popyrin is appearing in his biggest career final, first at the 1000 level.

“It means the world… it’s an amazing achievement for myself to be honest, and sometimes you have to pat yourself on the back,” said Popyrin Sunday. “I’ll do that tonight but tomorrow it’s all hands on deck and back to work.”

The two have split their previous two collisions with Popyrin winning their most recent match in Monte Carlo on clay in April.

Rublev seeks his 17th title in a 17th different location. He also seeks a 3rd Masters title of career while for Popyrin his 3rd, and first above a 250 level.