Sabalenka upset at Canadian Open; Aleksandrova reaches quarter-finals
Toronto — World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka was stunned in the fourth round of the Canadian Open by Russia’s 16th seed Ekaterina Aleksandrova, who prevailed 7-6, 4-6, 6-4 in a tightly contested match that lasted about two and a half hours.The reigning US Open champion Sabalenka won the early edge in the opening set, but…
Toronto — World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka was stunned in the fourth round of the Canadian Open by Russia’s 16th seed Ekaterina Aleksandrova, who prevailed 7-6, 4-6, 6-4 in a tightly contested match that lasted about two and a half hours.
The reigning US Open champion Sabalenka won the early edge in the opening set, but Aleksandrova rallied to force a tiebreak and clinched it to take the lead. Sabalenka produced a strong response in the second set — breaking for a 4-3 lead and holding serve to level the match — pushing the contest into a deciding third set.
In the final set Aleksandrova maintained an aggressive game plan and composure under pressure, while Sabalenka’s unforced errors mounted. Sabalenka, serving at 4-5, saved two match points but double-faulted on her third match point, handing Aleksandrova the victory.
“ I tried to play every point like it was my last, because chances against her are limited,” Aleksandrova said after the match. Aleksandrova will face Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina in the quarter-finals; Svitolina defeated American 8th seed Amanda Anisimova 6-2, 6-4 to advance.
