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WTA Montreal Highlights: Hugs, Fire Alarms, and Friendship Bracelets

Highlights from Day 6 of the WTA's National Bank Open in Montreal.
Pat Benson|
Eva Lys during her match against Iga Swiatek at the National Bank Open.
Eva Lys during her match against Iga Swiatek at the National Bank Open. | Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

The Canadian Open has had mixed results for tennis fans. On the men's side, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Jannik Sinner skipped the ATP 1000 in Toronto.

However, the women's side has been a lot of fun. Almost all of the best players competed in the WTA 1000 in Montreal, which has led to some memorable moments on and off the court.

Below are some of the more light-hearted highlights from Friday's action in Montreal.

Iga Swiatek vs. Eva Lys

Iga Swiatek rolled over Eva Lys in straight sets: 6-2, 6-2. But at least Lys won more than three games. The German star celebrated her minor achievement on the court as she continues to show steady growth against her dominant opponent.

Swiatek and Lys even shared a sweet moment at the net where they congratulated each other on the match and joked about the match getting closer.

A second highlight for the six-time Grand Slam champion came before she exited the court. A young fan presented the Polish superstar with a friendship bracelet, which she immediately put on her wrist. Check out the video below.

Naomi Osaka vs. Jelena Ostapenko

Don't look now, but Naomi Osaka has not lost since she fired her coach earlier this week. Of course, it is a small sample size of just three matches, but two of her victories came against seeded opponents.

Even better, Tennis Twitter darling Jelena Ostapenko created a viral moment at the net. No handshake for Osaka, bring it in for a hug. The slow-motion video shown above makes it even better.

Additional points to the unsponsored Ostapenko for still rocking her adidas Wimbledon kit. Some company from the tennis apparel industry needs to step up and sign Ostapenko to a lifetime deal ASAP.

Naomi Osaka vs. Fire Alarms

After defeating Ostapenko in straight sets, Osaka's competition was not done. She spent most of Friday night battling the hotel's fire alarms. The four-time Grand Slam champion documented the multiple false alarms on her Instagram story.

Tennis fans can follow Sports Illustrated's Serve on SI for all the most important news from the sport.

More Tennis News

New Balance unveils Coco Gauff's US Open footwear collection.

Daniil Medvedev's Toronto loss leads to more antics.

Carlos Alcaraz is preparing for a late hard court season run.

Coco Gauff wins first match since Roland Garros.

Naomi Osaka tests out Iga Swiatek's ex-coach in Montreal.

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Pat Benson
PAT BENSON

Pat Benson covers professional tennis for Serve on Sports Illustrated, reporting on ATP and WTA events worldwide. From Challenger tournaments to Grand Slams, he brings readers in-depth coverage, daily recaps, and exclusive interviews with some of the biggest names in the sport. With a decade of experience in sports journalism, Pat is recognized as a trusted voice in tennis media. You can contact him at 1989patbenson@gmail.com.

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