Alexandrova Wins Three-Set Battle Against Top Seed
World number one Aryna Sabalenka has been knocked out of the Canadian Open in Toronto after a dramatic defeat against Ekaterina Alexandrova.
The Russian 16th seed defeated Sabalenka 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 6-4 in the fourth round on Saturday.
The match lasted two hours and 29 minutes at the National Bank Open, a WTA 1000 tournament.
Alexandrova delivered an aggressive performance against the four-time Grand Slam champion.
The victory sent her into the Toronto quarterfinals for the first time.
It also continued Alexandrova’s strong record against one of the most powerful players in women’s tennis.
The two players have now met 10 times on the WTA Tour, with each winning five matches.
Sabalenka entered the tournament as the top seed and world number one.
She was also using the Canadian Open as an important part of her preparations for the upcoming US Open.
Sabalenka Fights Back but Final-Set Errors Prove Costly
Sabalenka began strongly and secured an early break for a 2-0 advantage in the opening set.
However, Alexandrova responded by winning four consecutive games.
Sabalenka eventually recovered and forced the opening set into a tie-break.
Alexandrova then took control, winning five of the final six points to claim the tie-break 7-3 and move one set ahead.
Sabalenka responded in the second set.
Alexandrova surrendered serve in the seventh game, allowing Sabalenka to move ahead 4-3.
The Belarusian held her remaining service games and won the second set 6-4, forcing a deciding third set.
Alexandrova again gained the advantage in the final set by breaking Sabalenka to move ahead 3-1.
Sabalenka fought back after Alexandrova produced a double fault in the seventh game.
The match remained close until Sabalenka served at 4-5.
Three unforced errors gave Alexandrova opportunities to close the match.
Sabalenka saved two match points with a service winner and an ace.
However, after hitting a backhand beyond the baseline, Sabalenka produced her sixth double fault on the third match point.
That error handed Alexandrova the 6-4 deciding set and one of the biggest victories of the tournament.
Alexandrova Sets Up Quarterfinal Clash With Svitolina
Alexandrova said she entered the match knowing she would have to take significant risks against the world number one.
She explained that aggressive tennis created additional mistakes but also gave her more opportunities to challenge Sabalenka.
The strategy ultimately proved successful as she repeatedly pressured Sabalenka from the baseline.
Alexandrova will next face ninth seed Elina Svitolina of Ukraine in the quarterfinals.
Svitolina secured her place in the last eight by defeating American eighth seed Amanda Anisimova in straight sets.
For Sabalenka, the defeat represents a setback during the North American hard-court swing.
She remains one of the leading contenders heading into the US Open but will now have less competitive match preparation than expected from Toronto.
Sabalenka had entered the Canadian Open hoping to regain momentum on hard courts after an uneven clay and grass season.
Before the tournament, she said she was returning to the fundamentals of her powerful baseline game ahead of the year’s final Grand Slam.
Alexandrova, meanwhile, moves forward with confidence after defeating the world’s top-ranked player in a demanding three-set contest.
