World No. 2 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.
Osaka, a four-time Gland Slam champion who is one of Japan's best gold medal prospects at the Tokyo Olympics, will be part of a field at the August 9-15 US Open tune-up that currently features 18 of the WTA's top 20 players.
Organisers also said Wimbledon champion and World No. 1 Ash Barty, No. 3 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, former winner Elina Svitolina of Ukraine, and defending champion Bianca Andreescu also are among those who confirmed their participation.
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"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.
The 2020 edition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Andreescu won the event two years ago when it was held in Toronto before going on to become Canada's first Grand Slam singles champion at that year's US Open.
"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 No. 5 Andreescu said in a news release.
"Winning the National Bank Open in 2019 was a dream come true, and I hope I can defend the title next month in Montreal."
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