Barty named top seed for Canadian Open

Ashleigh Barty has been named as the top seed for the upcoming Canadian Open, while Rafael Nadal is the top seed for the men’s event in Montreal.

The Australian will be competing for the second time since she became world No. 1, following her fourth-round loss at Wimbledon.

Barty made a solid run into the semi-finals at last year’s event before falling to eventual champion Simona Halep 6-4 6-1.

The Australian has three titles this year, including her first grand slam at the French Open.

Naomi Osaka of Japan will be the second seed in Toronto, followed by Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic.

In the men’s competition, Nadal is the highest-ranked player in the field at No. 2 and will be only member of the men’s Big Three to play in Montreal.

Top-ranked Novak Djokovic withdrew from the tournament last week, and Roger Federer pulled out shortly after he lost to Djokovic in five gruelling sets in the Wimbledon final.

That leaves world No.4 Dominic Thiem of Austria as the second seed.

Nadal, of Spain, is a four-time Rogers Cup champion, including last year in Toronto.

Tennis Canada announced the top seeds for both events on Monday.

The main draw for each will begin on August 5.

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