Gauff Into Toronto SF with Walkover from Bencic

Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, August 11, 2026
Photo credit: Shaun Brooks/CameraSport

Coco Gauff took a walkover into the Toronto semifinals tonight.

A hip injury forced Belinda Bencic, Gauff’s scheduled quarterfinal opponent, to withdraw from the National Bank Open.

The 2015 tournament champion Bencic beat Washington, DC champion Alexandrea Eala 6-4, 6-0 to return to the quarterfinals.

Former Olympic gold-medal champion Bencic played that match with taping wrapping her leg.

“I am really sorry to not be able to compete tonight,” Bencic said in a statement. “This is amazing tournament, and I was really looking forward to playing in front of the great fans here in Toronto.

“I tried everything possible to be ready for tonight. Looking forward to being back in Toronto next time.”

The fourth-seeded Gauff advanced to her maiden Toronto semifinal.

Two-time Grand Slam champion Gauff will face either four-time major champion Naomi Osaka or reigning Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina for a spot in the final.