[AP Photo/Andy Brownbill, File]World number two Naomi Osaka, who withdrew from this year's French Open and Wimbledon on mental health grounds, will compete in Montreal next month, organisers of the Canadian event said on Wednesday. Organisers also said Wimbledon champion and world number one Ash Barty, number three Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, former winner Elina Svitolina of Ukraine and defending champion Bianca Andreescu also are among those who confirmed their participation. "We are delighted to welcome the likes of Ashleigh Barty, Naomi Osaka and Aryna Sabalenka, as well as Bianca Andreescu, who we know will get a reception for the ages from our passionate fans in Montreal," Montreal tournament director Eugene Lapierre said in a news release. Australian Open champion Japan's Naomi Osaka poses with the trophy during a photo shoot at the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. "As a Canadian, this tournament has a special place in my heart and it is always such a pleasure to play in front of the best fans in the world," world number five Andreescu said in a news release.

Source: Standard Digital July 15, 2021 06:33 UTC