MONTREAL – Former UCLA women’s tennis standout Ena Shibahara of Japan teamed with fellow countrywoman Shuko Aoyama to win the Canadian Open doubles title at IGA Stadium Sunday.
In lifting the trophy, Shibahara has now done so twice at WTA 1000 events. She previously accomplished the feat alongside Aoyama at the 2021 Miami Open.
Also representing the Bruins at one of the final tournaments before the US Open was Jennifer Brady, who picked up a win in singles play.
Shibahara and Aoyama, seeded seventh, needed a pair of three-set wins to start their journey. The second of which was a comeback effort, as the tandem turned in a 4-6, 6-3, 1-0(8) decision over Laura Siegemund and Vera Zvonareva. A walkover against the top-seeded team of Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula followed. Shibahara and Aoyama held off Latisha Chan and Yang Zhaoxuan 7-6(4), 7-6(2) in the semifinals, setting up a showdown with the fifth-seeded combination of Desirae Krawczyk and Demi Schuurs. A marathon match ensued, with Shibahara and Aoyama finally prevailing by a 6-4, 4-6, 1-0(11) margin.
Brady, who missed nearly two full years of play due to injury, continued to shine in her comeback. She bested Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia 7-6(7), 0-6, 7-6(8) in the opening round before being edged out of a third-round spot by third-seeded Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in another three-setter.
Title Town ??
Shuko Aoyama and Ena Shibahara earn their second title of the year defeating Krawczyk/Schuurs 6-4, 4-6, 13-11 in Montreal!#NBO23 pic.twitter.com/Fs044yygrh
— wta (@WTA) August 13, 2023
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