Emma Navarro Set to Challenge Hometown Favorite Rebecca Marino in Montreal Clash
The spotlight is on Montreal as the National Bank Open heats up, and one of the matches grabbing attention is Emma Navarro versus Canadian favorite Rebecca Marino. It’s a fascinating clash of styles, experience, and momentum—and the energy around it is absolutely buzzing.
Emma Navarro, now ranked world No.11, is having the kind of year that turns heads. Her 2025 campaign has already included a Grand Slam quarterfinal in Australia, a dominating title run at the Merida Open—where she didn’t drop a single game in the final—and a strong fourth-round appearance at Wimbledon, where she knocked out defending champion Barbora Krejcikova. Despite a rough outing on clay earlier in the season, Navarro’s resume speaks for itself. She has already grabbed a win in the opening round in Montreal and seems determined to go even further this time, building on her semifinal appearance here last year.
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On the other side of the net, Rebecca Marino is bringing her own compelling story to the court. A veteran of the game, Marino was once a rising star who cracked the top 40 back in 2011. But in 2013, she stepped away from professional tennis, opening up about her battles with depression and the toll of online harassment. Her honesty about mental health shook up the conversation in sports. After nearly five years away, she made a gutsy return in 2017—and since then, she’s steadily climbed back, picking up ITF titles and reclaiming a spot inside the top 100 by 2022.
Now 33, Marino hasn’t had the most consistent season, but she pulled off a much-needed first-round win in Montreal over Elsa Jacquemot, fighting through a tense tiebreak and showing flashes of her trademark power game. It was only her second main-draw win of the season, but it couldn’t have come at a better time—right in front of her home crowd, where the support is palpable.
As for their head-to-head, Navarro leads 2-0. Their last meeting in 2023 saw Marino take the first set before Navarro roared back to dominate the next two. That resilience has become a hallmark of Navarro’s game. She doesn’t rattle easily, and her sharp groundstrokes and confident net play give her the edge in high-pressure moments.
Still, Marino’s fire shouldn’t be underestimated. With her backstory, her crowd behind her, and nothing to lose, she’ll be looking to disrupt Navarro’s rhythm and turn this into a scrap. It’s a match with all the ingredients—form, history, grit, and emotion. Whether the rising star maintains her dominance or the hometown hero stages a stunning upset, fans are in for a thriller.
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