World number one Sabalenka suffers Toronto setback as Alexandrova advances

World number one Aryna Sabalenka's preparation for the U.S. Open faced a significant hurdle as she was eliminated from the Canadian Open in Toronto. Russia's Ekaterina Alexandrova secured a hard-fought victory in the fourth round, winning 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-4 in a match lasting nearly two and a half hours.

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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.

Alexandrova, the 16th seed, demonstrated aggressive shot-making throughout the contest. After dropping the first set in a tiebreak, Sabalenka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, fought back to level the match by taking the second set. However, Alexandrova maintained her composure in the deciding set, capitalizing on an increase in Sabalenka's unforced errors.

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Honestly, I was trying not to think about the score or anything. Just hit the ball, and that's it.

Serving to stay in the match at 4-5, Sabalenka saved two match points but ultimately succumbed on the third with a double fault, handing the win to Alexandrova. "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 commented after her victory. She will now advance to face Ukraine's Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals.

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I'm super happy that I could win because after the second set, I thought (the chance) was already past me.