A tricky season for Ekaterina Alexandrova simply received so much higher. She earned a hard-fought win over world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka on Saturday night time in Toronto.
Ekaterina Alexandrova has been a thorn in Aryna Sabalenka’s aspect ever since they first met in 2017. In 2026, she’s nonetheless inflicting issues for the world No.1.
The Russian produced a barrage of winners and squeezed by means of a hard-fought battle, 7-6(3) 4-6 6-4, to enhance to 5-5 lifetime towards Sabalenka on Saturday night time on the Nationwide Financial institution Open in Toronto.
The victory marks Alexandrova’s third profession win over a reigning world No.1. She is the second lady to defeat a world No.1 on the Canadian Open this century, together with Venus Williams, who defeated her sister Serena in 2014.
Alexandrova had two break factors to take a 4-2 lead within the second set, however when she couldn’t convert, Sabalenka reeled off 4 of the ultimate 5 video games to degree the match at a set apiece.
“I simply tried to play each single level as if it was the final one, as a result of along with her, you don’t get a whole lot of possibilities throughout the matches,” Alexandrova stated. “I had so much at the moment, however I couldn’t understand all of them, however truthfully, I used to be making an attempt not to consider in regards to the rating.
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“I’m tremendous completely satisfied that I may win as a result of after the second set, I believed she already handed me.”
The pair traded breaks within the third and it was Alexandrova who scored the ultimate break with Sabalenka serving to remain alive.
She had her first match level with Sabalenka serving at 4-5, 30-40, however it was saved by a powerful second serve that hopped off the court docket and eluded Alexandrova’s backhand for an ace.
A second match level quickly got here, as Sabalenka pushed a forehand down the road lengthy.
One other ace was Sabalenka’s reply, in the identical spot, this time a primary serve.
However a 3rd match level, earned when Sabalenka yanked a crosscourt backhand broad of the tramline, proved to be the trick.
The hard-fought battle ended when Sabalenka double-faulted on the two hour and 30-minute mark.
Sabalenks drops to 38-7 on the season, whereas Alexandrova improves to 14-18.
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Chris Oddo. Chris Oddo is a contract sportswriter, podcaster, blogger and social media marker who’s a lead contributor to Tennisnow.com. He additionally writes for USOpen.org, Rolandgarros.com, BNPParibasOpen.com, TennisTV.com, WTAtennis.com and the official US Open program.
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