Sabalenka, Swiatek, and Pegula advance at Canadian Open amid rain delays

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, along with Iga Swiatek and Jessica Pegula, secured their spots in the Round of 16 at the Canadian Open women's tournament on Thursday. The day's play was significantly disrupted by rain, forcing players to contend with multiple interruptions and subsequent warm-ups.

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I am happy with the level, happy with the victory in two sets and happy that the rain did not stop our match.

Sabalenka, the top seed, defeated China's Zhang Shuai 6-3, 6-4. Despite Zhang offering more resistance than the scoreline suggests, Sabalenka maintained her focus. "I am happy with the level, happy with the victory in two sets and happy that the rain did not stop our match," Sabalenka commented, acknowledging Zhang's ability to stay competitive until the end.

Seventh seed Swiatek needed just 66 minutes to overcome Switzerland's Viktorija Golubic 6-2, 6-1. After an early service break, Swiatek quickly regained control, winning seven consecutive games. "I felt good. At first, I struggled to find the rhythm. But after the first game, I felt I was playing better and better towards the end of the match," Swiatek said, highlighting her success in neutralizing Golubic's sliced shots and dictating the pace.

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I felt good. At first, I struggled to find the rhythm. But after the first game, I felt I was playing better and better towards the end of the match.

Third favorite Jessica Pegula also advanced, defeating Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova 6-4, 6-0. The match was halted by rain when Pegula was leading 4-0 in the second set. "Having to do three different warm-ups today definitely wasn't easy, but it was to be expected," Pegula noted, marking her 40th win of the season.

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Having to do three different warm-ups today definitely wasn't easy, but it was to be expected.

The most notable upset of the day came from Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk, the tenth seed, who decisively beat American Madison Keys, the nineteenth favorite, 6-3, 6-1. After a rain-affected start, Kostyuk took control at 2-2 and won ten of the next twelve games. "I am happy with the balance I found in the game. I think it is very difficult to overpower someone like Madison," Kostyuk explained, looking forward to facing Swiatek again on hard court.

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I am happy with the balance I found in the game. I think it is very difficult to overpower someone like Madison.