Ontario swimmers make a splash, FA WSL semi-final action and more tennis drama at the WTA Abu Dubai Open
OUA Women's Swimming Finals
Swim fans are in for a treat this weekend as the 2023 OUA Swimming Championships get underway at the Western Student Recreation Centre in Burlington, Ontario. Teams from across the province will be looking to make a big splash across the three day competition, with preliminaries hitting the water each morning followed by final races at the end of each day.
Keep an eye out for fourth-year veteran Aleksa Gold of Toronto Varsity Blues. The reigning 400m IM champion will be vying for her third straight 200m freestyle this weekend. While Shona Branton, having just returned from a podium-level performance in Europe, will be one to watch for the Western Mustangs in their quest to conquer the competition in their home pool.
CBC Sports will be poolside for all the action.
FA WSL Cup
West Ham United Women will be looking to make history in more ways than one this afternoon in their WSL Cup semi-final clash against Chelsea.
The Hammers have never reached the final of the Continental Tyres League Cup, and they’ve never beaten Chelsea in their entire 32 year history!
Paul Konshesky’s side did well to hold Arsenal to a 0-0 draw in their last WSL outing, but today’s matchup is a whole different story with league leaders Chelsea dominating the women’s top flight yet again this season.
Chelsea will be aiming to reach their fourth finals in as many seasons, having won the League Cup in two of the last three WSL seasons.
You can catch the game on The FA Player at 2:15 p.m. ET.
WTA Abu Dhabi Open
And finally, at the inaugural WTA Abu Dhabi Open, world no. 14 Beatriz Haddad Maia will take on Yulia Putintseva today for a place in the quarterfinal.
Haddad Maia reached the 2nd round after a win over three sets against Marie Bouzkova on Tuesday. The Brazilian is seeking to build on a breakout season last year that saw her claim back-to-back WTA titles on grass in Birmingham and Nottingham before finishing runner-up to Simona Halep at the Canada Masters.
But she faces stiff opposition from world no. 42 Yulia Putintseva, who booked her spot in today’s matchup courtesy of an eye-catching straight-sets win over Canada’s Bianca Andreescu. The 28 year old has been putting in some impressive performances of late, despite suffering a shocking first round exit in last month's Hua Hin Championships in Thailand.
You can catch tonight’s round of 16 clash on DAZN, Tennis Channel, TVA Sports.