World number one Sabalenka ousted in Toronto by Alexandrova
World number one tennis player Aryna Sabalenka was defeated by Ekaterina Alexandrova in the fourth round of the WTA Toronto Masters. Alexandrova utilized a high-risk strategy to overcome the top seed in a three-set match.
Why it matters
This result significantly impacts the rankings and momentum heading into the upcoming US Open.
World number one Aryna Sabalenka was eliminated by Russian 16th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova on Saturday in a fourth-round match at the WTA Toronto Masters tournament.
Alexandrova defeated the four-time Grand Slam winner from Belarus 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 6-4 in 2hr 29min to book a berth in the quarter-finals.
Sabalenka, who will seek her third consecutive US Open title next month, fell to 5-5 in her career WTA rivalry with Alexandrova, who will face either American eighth seed Amanda Anisimova or Ukraine's ninth-seeded Elina Svitolina in the quarter-finals.
Sabalenka broke for a 2-0 lead in the opening set, dropped the next four games, then held and broke back to 4-4 on a forehand drop volley winner.
Double faults by Sabalenka in the 11th game and Alexandrova in the 12th surrendered breaks leading to a tie-break.
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