Alexandrova stuns Sabalenka to make Toronto QFs

Totonto, Aug 9 (IANS) Aryna Sabalenka became the latest Top 5 seed to be eliminated from the Canadian Open after the 19th-ranked Ekaterina Alexandrova defeated the world No. 1 in a back-and-forth 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-4 victory that spanned two hours and 29 minutes.

The win marked Alexandrova’s third win over a world No. 1, following victories over Iga Swiatek (Miami 2024) and Sabalenka (Doha 2025). It’s also her sixth WTA 1000 quarterfinal appearance and her first since Doha 2025.

Alexandrova took the first set in a tiebreaker after each woman broke the other’s serve three times. Sabalenka took the second by converting her only break of the set to even things up. The third set resembled the first as each woman managed to convert multiple breaks in a tight set.

Alexandrova put the four-time Grand Slam winner on the brink, forcing Sabalenka to serve to stay in the tournament down 5-4. She fended off two break and match points but would not survive the third, dropping the set and the match 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-4.

Elsewhere, Elina Svitolina faced a bit of late resistance in her 6-2, 6-4 win over Amanda Anisimova, but she ultimately held on to close out the straight-sets victory in 1 hour and 17 minutes in a battle between Top 10 players to reach Toronto quarters.

Earlier, two-time NBO champion Jessica Pegula was the first major upset on Saturday, as she was ousted by No. 15 Diana Shnaider in straight sets 6-3, 6-3.

Meanwhile, Iga Swiatek survived an early scare and rallied to beat Marta Kostyuk 3-6, 6-1, 6-2. The six-time Grand Slam champion was unsuccessful on serve in the first set, as Kostyuk broke her in all four service games. Swiatek turned things around in the second and third, and was not broken the rest of the way.

With Pegula, Sabalenka, and Mirra Andreeva eliminated, No. 2 Elena Rybakina and No. 4 Coco Gauff are the only Top 5 seeds remaining in the draw.

–IANS

bc/