Top-ranked Sabalenka, Pegula stunned in Toronto Masters fourth round

Top-ranked players Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula suffered surprising defeats in the fourth round of the Toronto Masters on Saturday, casting a shadow over their preparations for the US Open. World number one Sabalenka was eliminated by Russia's 16th seed, Ekaterina Alexandrova, in a grueling three-set match.

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I wasn't trying to think about the score or anything like beating number one. I was just trying to do my best.

Alexandrova, who secured a 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 6-4 victory in two hours and 29 minutes, expressed her focus on playing each point to the best of her ability against the formidable opponent. "With her, you don't get a lot of chances during the match," Alexandrova noted, acknowledging the difficulty of facing the Belarusian. "I had a lot today, but I couldn't realize some of them. I'm super happy that I could win because after the second set, I thought (winning) was already past me."

Sabalenka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, had been aiming for a third consecutive US Open title. She managed to level the match after losing the first set in a tiebreak, but ultimately faltered in the decider, facing match points on her serve before a final double fault sealed her fate. Alexandrova attributed her aggressive strategy to creating opportunities, stating, "I had the feeling I have some kind of power and I can create something and it helped me mentally."

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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. I had a lot today, but I couldn't realize some of them. I'm super happy that I could win because after the second set, I thought (winning) was already past me.

In another significant upset, Russia's 15th seed Anna Shnaider defeated world number three Pegula 6-3, 6-3 in just 73 minutes. Shnaider, a 22-year-old left-hander, felt comfortable with her game throughout the match. "This week I've been very comfortable on both defending and just firing some winners," Shnaider said. "It was working well. I was choosing a bigger target today but sometimes ripping the ball."

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I was trying to play super aggressive, the way I didn't play for a long time. It worked. I had the feeling I have some kind of power and I can create something and it helped me mentally.

Alexandrova is set to face Ukraine's Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals, while Shnaider will play Poland's Iga Swiatek. Swiatek, the seventh seed, advanced by defeating Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk 3-6, 6-1, 6-2.

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This week I've been very comfortable on both defending and just firing some winners. It was working well. I was choosing a bigger target today but sometimes ripping the ball.