After a rain-affected start to the 2026 National Bank Open, the action ramps up on Tuesday as top seeds debut at the Toronto WTA 1000 event. This set of LWOT predictions features 2024 finalist Amanda Anisimova, who is looking for a big summer following her US Open final run last year.
WTA Day 3 Toronto Predictions
Anastasia Potapova vs Elena Gabriela Ruse
Head-to-head: First meeting
Potapova is having her career-best season in 2026, but unlike clay courts, hard courts haven’t been as smooth for the Austrian. She’s 12-11 on hard courts since last year’s WTA 1000 in Montreal, while Ruse’s heavy forehand makes her dangerous on any court. Still, Potapova’s footwork and mental edge will probably push her into the third round.
Prediction: Potapova in 3
Clara Tauson vs Nikola Bartunkova
Head-to-head: First meeting
Tauson couldn’t capitalize in her first round match at the Citi Open, letting leads slip against the tricky Italian Elisabetta Cocciaretto. This, unfortunately for the Dane, could be another uncomfortable matchup, with Bartunkova claiming a confidence-inducing win Monday over home favorite Bianca Andreescu. At 20, the Czech recently climbed to a career-high ranking of No. 41, and she’s been steadily rising in the ranks. Tauson will have to play consistent tennis early on, but a troubling losing run in 2026 could make this a challenge for her.
Prediction: Bartunkova in 3
Elina Svitolina vs Jessica Bouzas Maneiro
Head-to-head: Svitolina 3-0
The summer of 2026 hasn’t been kind to Svitolina so far, with her latest match ending in a straight-sets defeat to Alexandra Eala in Washington. The Ukrainian hasn’t been able to dictate points as well as she did earlier in the season, though she’ll feel positive going up against Bouzas Maneiro; the Spaniard is 13-19 on the WTA Tour this season, and has only one Top 50 win since January. Svitolina won this tournament in 2017, and she should advance comfortably if she serves well.
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
Amanda Anisimova vs Lanlana Tararudee
Head-to-head: First meeting
While she’s a Top 8 seed, Anisimova currently sits well outside the Top 10 of the WTA Race. The American has fearless groundstrokes that should adapt to the faster hard courts, but she’ll have to be mentally tough in what will be a stressful period–she has US Open finalist points to defend soon, and pressure to get back to her 2025 winning ways. Tararudee cruised past Qinwen Zheng in qualifying, and then beat Emerson Jones in a first-round win, though she’s a bit new to the Tour and doesn’t have the weapons to keep up with a power-hitter like Anisimova.
Prediction: Anisimova in 2
Main Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
