TORONTO - World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka suffered a major setback in her US Open preparations after Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova produced a spirited performance to defeat the four-time Grand Slam champion 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-4 and reach the quarter-finals of the National Bank Open in Toronto.
The 16th-seeded Alexandrova prevailed in a fiercely contested encounter lasting nearly two and a half hours, displaying remarkable composure to withstand Sabalenka’s powerful game and close out one of the biggest victories of her season. Sabalenka made the brighter start, breaking early in the opening set, but Alexandrova fought back strongly and forced a tie-break. The Russian then raised her level to take the opener 7-6(3).
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The reigning US Open champion responded in the second set, securing a crucial break to move 4-3 ahead before serving out the set to level the match and force a decider. The final set remained tightly contested, but Alexandrova capitalised on an increase in Sabalenka’s unforced errors to seize the advantage. Serving at 4-5, Sabalenka saved two match points but could not escape, with a double fault on the third handing Alexandrova a memorable victory.
“I just tried to play every single point as if it was the last one because with her, you don’t get a lot of chances during the match,” Alexandrova said after the match. The victory sends Alexandrova into the last eight, where she will face Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina, who defeated eighth-seeded American Amanda Anisimova 6-2, 6-4.
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For Sabalenka, the defeat represents an early warning ahead of the US Open, where she will be seeking to defend her title. Despite recovering from a set down, the world No. 1 was ultimately unable to contain Alexandrova’s aggressive shot-making in the deciding set. Alexandrova’s victory adds another major upset to an increasingly competitive Toronto tournament and gives the Russian a significant boost heading into the quarter-finals.