Ekaterina Alexandrova Shocks Aryna Sabalenka To Storm Into Toronto Quarter Finals

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka became the latest top-five seed to crash out of the Canadian Open after Ekaterina Alexandrova produced a stunning upset in Toronto on Saturday.

The 19th-ranked Alexandrova defeated the four-time Grand Slam champion 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-4 in a gripping contest that lasted two hours and 29 minutes. The victory sent Alexandrova into her sixth WTA 1000 quarterfinal and her first at this level since Doha 2025.

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Alexandrova Claims Another Win Over World No. 1

The victory marked the third time Alexandrova has defeated a reigning world No. 1. She had previously beaten Iga Swiatek in Miami in 2024 before defeating Sabalenka in Doha in 2025.

The Russian produced another composed performance against Sabalenka, holding her nerve during the decisive moments of a closely fought contest.

Sabalenka Takes Second Set, But Alexandrova Prevails

The opening set went to a tiebreak after both players repeatedly broke each other's serve. Alexandrova eventually took control of the tiebreak, winning it 7-3 to move within one set of a major upset.

Sabalenka responded strongly in the second set. She converted her only break opportunity of the set and managed to level the match at one set apiece.

The deciding set once again became a tight battle, with both players managing multiple breaks as neither was able to establish a comfortable advantage.

Alexandrova Holds Her Nerve at 5-4

Alexandrova eventually moved to within one game of victory at 5-4, putting Sabalenka under pressure to serve to stay in the tournament.

The Belarusian saved two break and match points to keep her hopes alive, but Alexandrova earned a third opportunity and made no mistake.

Sabalenka's resistance finally ended as Alexandrova closed out the deciding set 6-4 to complete one of the biggest victories of the tournament.

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Svitolina Reaches Quarterfinals

Elsewhere, Elina Svitolina booked her place in the quarterfinals after defeating Amanda Anisimova 6-2, 6-4 in a battle between two Top 10 players.

Svitolina needed one hour and 17 minutes to secure the straight-sets victory, although Anisimova offered some late resistance before the Ukrainian closed out the contest.

Earlier, Jessica Pegula suffered another major upset, losing 6-3, 6-3 to No. 15 seed Diana Shnaider.

Iga Swiatek also survived an early scare against Marta Kostyuk, recovering from a first-set loss to win 3-6, 6-1, 6-2.

With Pegula, Sabalenka and Mirra Andreeva eliminated, No. 2 Elena Rybakina and No. 4 Coco Gauff are now the only Top 5 seeds remaining in the Canadian Open draw.