Jessica Pegula becomes first woman in 24 years to achieve feat that eluded Serena Williams

Jessica Pegula has become the seventh woman to defend the Canadian Open title in the Open Era with her victory in Toronto.

The American downed Amanda Anisimova in three sets in the final of the 2024 edition of the WTA 1000 event, making her the first player to win the Canadian Open in consecutive years since Martina Hingis in 1999 and 2000.

From 1981, the women’s and men’s events at the Canadian Open have alternated between Toronto and Montreal each year. Prior to that, both events were staged in Toronto.

Here, we look at the seven women who have defended the Canadian Open title since the Open Era started in 1968.

Evonne Goolagong Cawley: 1972-1973
Evonne Goolagong Cawley was a runner-up at the Canadian Open in 1971, but she won the event — which was then played on clay — in both of the following two years.

The Australian defeated Virginia Wade in the 1972 championship match and Helga Niessen Masthoff in the 1973 final.

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Regina Marsikova: 1977-1978
Regina Marsikova won the Canadian Open in back-to-back years on clay courts in Toronto in 1977 and 1978.

In the two title matches, the Czech saw off Marise Kruger in 1977 and Virginia Ruzici in 1978.

Martina Navratilova: 1982-1983
Martina Navratilova was a three-time Canadian Open winner and claimed two of her titles in successive years in 1982 and 1983.

The Czech-American overcame Andrea Jaeger in the 1982 final to become the first woman to win the event in Montreal.

The following year, Navratilova became the first woman to win the title in the two different cities when she beat Chris Evert to defend her crown in Toronto.

Chris Evert: 1984-1985
After securing Canadian Open titles in 1974 and 1980, Chris Evert added her third and fourth triumphs in 1984 and 1985.

In the finals, the American downed Alycia Moulton in 1984 in Montreal and Claudia Kohde-Kilsch in 1985 in Toronto.

Monica Seles: 1995-1998
With four Canadian Open titles, Monica Seles shares the record for the most women’s singles triumphs at the event with Evert.

The Yugoslavian-American won all of her titles in consecutive years from 1995 to 1998, making her the only woman to defend the title multiple times.