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2026 National Bank Open Tennis Betting Preview, Odds, Picks & Analysis

In the first big event of the 2026 Hard Court Swing comes the National Bank Open, a 1000 level-joint tour event where both the ATP and WTA play in Canada. This year, the men will play in Montreal while the women will play in Toronto as the event alternates cities with the tours each season. […]
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Thom Cunningham
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In the first big event of the 2026 Hard Court Swing comes the National Bank Open, a 1000 level-joint tour event where both the ATP and WTA play in Canada. This year, the men will play in Montreal while the women will play in Toronto as the event alternates cities with the tours each season. Let’s dive into each tournament’s odds, draw and predictions for this year’s Canadian Classic.

2026 National Bank Open Information & Resources

  • Start Date: Sunday, August 2, 2026
  • Location: Men – Montreal, Canada; Women – Toronto, Canada
  • Surface: Hard
  • Event Level: 1000
  • Where to Watch: Tennis Channel, Tennis App
  • Defending Champion, ATP: Ben Shelton
  • Defending Champion, WTA: Victoria Mboko
  • Daily Tennis Betting Trends

2026 ATP National Bank Open Betting Odds

2026 WTA National Bank Open Betting Odds

A Look At The Draw

Men’s Quarter 1

Alexander Zverev gets the No. 1 seed in Montreal, sitting at the top of Quarter 1 and receiving a first round bye where he will face the winner of Lorenzo Sonego and Tallon Griekspoor. Looking at the path for Zverev, he should be able to reach the quarterfinals with a bit of ease. Matteo Arnaldi is the top name in his section before reaching the Round of 16, while a handful of names under him don’t provide enough conviction to warrant a dark horse scare.

Francisco Cerundolo, Alex Michelsen and Ugo Humbert are all capable of going on runs and taking Zverev out, but when push comes to shove Zverev should still be the pick. Of those three, Michelsen has been the best in form, but the real quarter threat for Zverev lies in the bottom of Quarter 1, the No. 7 seed Taylor Fritz. Despite winning the last meeting, Zverev struggles against Fritz, who seems to be coming more and more into his top player form after missing most of the first half of 2026.

Can Fritz reach the quarterfinals? It will be more difficult of a path than Zverev with Learner Tien, Tommy Paul and Kamil Majchrzak all above Fritz. However, the American duo in Tien and Paul have yet to show consistency recently while Majchrzak is a decent sleeper but not enough to warrant a selection for.

Quarter 1 Pick: Alexander Zverev
Quarter 1 Sleeper: Taylor Fritz
Quarter 1 Longshot: Kamil Majchrzak

Men’s Quarter 2

Defending champion Ben Shelton is the No. 5 seed and at the bottom of Quarter 2, but defending his throne won’t be easy. His form hasn’t been the best, even though he won a clay court title months ago, while his record in big events hasn’t been the best in 2026 either. While none of the names in his section seem particularly bothersome, Jenson Brooksby might be his Round 2 opponent and is playing well enough to warrant concerns of an early upset for any Shelton fans or bettors out there.

While Casper Ruud, the No. 9 seed, lies above Shelton there is also Joao Fonseca. Just getting to the quarterfinals will be difficult for Shelton, as No. 31 seed Zizou Bergs is also entering with a little bit of momentum with wins in seven of nine matches. While the bottom of Quarter 2 seems a bit chaotic, the top is equally as frustrating to decipher with Daniil Medvedev as the No. 4 seed and top name.

While he should reach Round 3, his road past that might be difficult early with both Hubert Hurkacz and Alejandro Tabilo underneath. Tabilo is a streaky player, but his current streak is hot after a huge win over Shelton in Washington – while Hurkacz is playing better and is just a hot service match away from going on a run himself.

Under Medvedev lies Jakub Mensik and Karen Khachanov, both capable of winning the quarter but victims to head-scratching losses a week ago. Jack Draper also finds himself in this part of the draw, but is hard to trust with the amount of withdrawals lately.

Quarter 2 Pick: Daniil Medvedev
Quarter 2 Sleeper: Jakub Mensik
Quarter 2 Longshot: Alejandro Tabilo

Men’s Quarter 3

While Jiri Lehecka is the top name in Quarter 3, Rafael Jodar might be the top name to take as the No. 20 seed in Montreal. His form coming out of Washington is nothing short of stellar, and might actually look better than his clay court form which elevated him to the current position he is in. His section is pretty simple, with Lorenzo Musetti as his top threat but a meeting he just won convincingly after dropping the first set. As mentioned, Lehecka lies above him and also has a simple path to potentially face Jodar for a spot in the quarterfinals – so look between those two.

Lehecka’s biggest hurdle to reaching (potentially) Jodar is Alexander Blockx, a match Lehecka should win. Under all of this lies Alex De Minaur as the No. 3 seed and bottom name in Quarter 3, and much like the gentlemen above, has a simple path to reach the Round of 16. Ignacio Buse and Cam Norrie are his biggest names to worry about, but the real threats lie above in Arthur Fils and Valentin Vacherot – both getting first round byes.

Matteo Berrettini and Denis Shapovalov, fresh off a finals in Mexico, are two names that can also cause damage but have Round 1 matches to worry about first. Overall, De Minaur has the easiest path but whoever survives the top of this section becomes a serious threat to win the entire quarter.

Quarter 3 Pick: Rafael Jodar
Quarter 3 Sleeper: Arthur Fils
Quarter 3 Longshot: Denis Shapovalov

Men’s Quarter 4

Felix Auger Aliassime is the No. 2 seed in Montreal and nestled at the bottom of Quarter 4. His path is difficult with hard court merchant Brandon Nakashima potetntially seeing him in Round 3 as the No. 28 seed. Entering Saturday’s match in Washington, Nakashima has covered the spread in nine of 10 matches on the hard courts – so circle him as a single match dark horse should he reach Round 3 and beyond. Above them lies Frances Tiafoe and Arthur Rinderknech, the only names to worry about for FAA or Nakashima bettors.

Tiafoe saw an early exit in Washington, so it’s unclear how he’ll respond. Ultimately, the winner of FAA and Nakashima should be the look from this part of Quarter 2 – leaning with FAA as the better player, in his home country and also considering fatigue issues for Nakashima’s deep run in Washington. The top of Quarter 4 should be fun with both Flavio Cobolli and Andrey Rublev listed on opposite ends.

While Cobolli has a simple path to the Round of 16, Rublev doesn’t with No. 19 seed Luciano Darderi standing in his way. With that said, Darderi’s success in 2026 has mainly come from clay courts. Still, when comparing draws Cobolli is the clear pick over Rublev.

Quarter 4 Pick: Felix Auger Aliassime
Quarter 4 Sleeper: Flavio Cobolli
Quarter 4 Longshot: Brandon Nakashima

 

Women’s Quarter 1

Aryna Sabalenka is the No. 1 seed in Toronto, getting the top spot in Quarter 1 and a first round bye. She could see early trouble in Round 3 should she face Jelena Ostapenko, but really has no other concerns from getting into the Round of 16. Under Sabby lies Ekaterina Alexandrova and Maja Chwalinska, with the former still looking for form and the latter coming off an injury. The danger for Sabby comes from the bottom of Quarter 1 where both Amanda Anisimova and Elina Svitolina are.

However, Anisimova has seen an injury-riddled season while Svitolina has seen poor results in back-to-back tournaments (Wimbledon and Washington). Those are the top two names to consider outside Sabby, though, with Anastasia Potapova coming back down to earth a bit and Clara Tauson still not matching her peak form she saw a season ago.

Quarter 1 Pick: Aryna Sabalenka
Quarter 1 Sleeper: Amanda Anisimova
Quarter 1 Longshot: Jelena Ostapenko

Women’s Quarter 2

Jessica Pegula is the stand out name in Quarter 2, entering as the No. 3 seed and put in a part of the draw against recently familiar foes. Magdalena Frech, Anna Kalinskaya and Diana Shnaider all lie in her section, names she beat in Washington this past week. We’ll rinse and repeat with Jess here, as fatigue would be our only concern with a deep run in Washington. However, Pegula is one of the players on either tour where fatigue has never been an issue. She has also seen success in Canada, which (as the Buffalo native she is) is a place she is cozy playing in.

Under Pegula there is some concern, mainly Marta Kostyuk who is quietly having an elite season. We should see Kostyuk vs. Madison Keys in Round 3, as the latter is looking to shake off a disappointing performance in Washington. Iga Swiatek is the big name at the bottom of Quarter 2 as Toronto’s No. 7 seed, but is hardly worth a look with the form displayed in recent months. With that said, Donna Vekic is the No. 31 seed above her, so there is reason to believe Swiatek has a chance.

The name to to watch in this section is actually Sara Bejlek, who has a Round 1 match to play but has seen incredible result on the hard court surface this season. Pegula followed by the winner of Kostyuk/Keys are the best looks here, with Bejlek a potential sleeper should seeded players begin to fall.

Quarter 2 Pick: Jessica Pegula
Quarter 2 Sleeper: Marta Kostyuk
Quarter 2 Longshot: Sara Bejlek

Women’s Quarter 3

Linda Noskova is coming into Toronto with her Wimby title, the No. 6 seed and the name sitting at the top of Quarter 3. There could be early danger, though, with Alexandra Eala her potential Round 3 opponent. The young lefty has been taking names in Washington, the last being Naomi Osaka in her path to the DC final. The winner of this hypothetical Round 3 encounter should be the top Quarter 3 look, even with both Belinda Bencic and Marie Bouzkova looming underneath.

Both Bencic and Bouzkova are great looks based on their season thus far, and both play some of their best tennis on the hard courts. It truly is a toss up between the four women, as things don’t get easier underneath. Three Americans lie at the bottom of Quarter 3 with No. 4 seed Coco Gauff being the biggest name of the bunch. Gauff might have to deal with Maria Sakkari in Round 3, but otherwise should be fine. However, Iva Jovic and Emma Navarro lie above Coco and only one can come out.

While Jovic will get the winner of Carol Zhao vs. Magda Linette, Navarro will get the winner of two qualifiers. We don’t know Navarro’s current path, but its safe to assume we should get a huge battle between Jovic and Navarro with a (potential) date against Coco Gauff to reach the quarterfinals. Talk about drama, buckle up for this quarter.

Quarter 3 Pick: Coco Gauff
Quarter 3 Sleeper: Iva Jovic
Quarter 3 Longshot: Marie Bouzkova

Women’s Quarter 4

Elena Rybakina enters Toronto as the No. 2 seed and top name in Quarter 4, but her form entering is shaky which is being generous. On paper, her draw is set up nicely to reach the Round of 16 and honestly, further. However, Katie Boulter already beat her this season and lies in her section while Ann Li is also a threat based on her season results. Still, Lena has no reason not to reach the Round of 16 but that’s where things might get tricky.

Sorana Cirstea, Lidumila Samsonova and Barbora Krejcikova are all top options as her hypothetical Round of 16 opponent. Cirstea is playing some of her best tennis ever, but will need to get back to the form she was playing with prior to grass court season. Samsonova was struggling this season, but then showed signs of life in Washington and now plays a part of the calendar she historically does well during. Finally, Barbs might be playing some of the best tennis in the world right now since returning on tour.

It won’t be easy for fish, while others lie at the top of Quarter 4 – notably Mirra Andreeva and Osaka. Both are great picks to consider winning this quarter, particularly Osaka who is playing on her favorite surface and looking for a better result than her semifinal appearance in Washington. It’s hard to trust other names in this section such as Elise Mertens or Leylah Fernandez as well, so lean Osaka or Andreeva at the top while the bottom is littered with dark horses and Rybakina.

Quarter 4 Pick: Elena Rybakina
Quarter 4 Sleeper: Naomi Osaka
Quarter 4 Longshot: Barbora Krejcikova

Photo Credit: REUTERS

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Thom Cunningham
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Thom Cunningham is the Lineups.com News Editor and has been involved with sports media for almost two decades at Spectrum, VegasInsider.com, Oddschecker, VSiN and much more as a content producer - focused on the betting and gaming space over the last decade tracking insights, data analytics and covering various markets from the NFL to the Oscars. 

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