Sabalenka Stunned by Alexandrova in Toronto Thriller

Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka saw her Canadian Open campaig…

Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka saw her Canadian Open campaign come to a sudden halt on Wednesday, falling to Ekaterina Alexandrova in a grueling three-set battle. The world No. 1, a four-time Grand Slam singles champion, was unable to find her rhythm against the unseeded Russian, who delivered a fearless performance under the lights in Toronto.

Alexandrova, known for her flat hitting and aggressive baseline play, came out firing from the start. She broke Sabalenka early in the opening set and maintained the pressure, forcing errors from the usually dominant Belarusian. Sabalenka fought back in the second set, leveling the match with a more composed display, but her serve—normally a key weapon—deserted her at crucial moments.

The deciding set turned into a tense exchange of breaks, with both players struggling to hold serve. Alexandrova saved a break point in the penultimate game and then capitalized on a sloppy Sabalenka service game to seal the win, closing out the match with a crisp forehand winner down the line. The final score read 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 in favor of the 26-year-old from Moscow.

For Sabalenka, the loss marks a disappointing end

For Sabalenka, the loss marks a disappointing end to her North American hard-court opener, especially with the U.S. Open just weeks away. She had been the heavy favorite in Toronto, having won the title there in 2020 and reached the final last year. Her exit opens up the top half of the draw, with several contenders eyeing the opportunity.

Alexandrova, meanwhile, advances to the third round, where she will face a qualifier. The win is arguably the biggest of her career, and she credited her aggressive game plan and mental resilience in the post-match interview. "I knew I had to take my chances and stay brave," she said. "Aryna is a champion, so you have to play your best tennis to beat her."

Sabalenka declined to speak to the media after the match, but her coach later acknowledged that the world No. 1 was struggling with a minor shoulder issue that affected her serve. He insisted it was not an excuse, however, praising Alexandrova's performance as deserving of the victory.

The upset sends a ripple through the tournament

The upset sends a ripple through the tournament, as fans and analysts now wonder who will seize the moment in Sabalenka's absence. With several top seeds still in contention, the Canadian Open remains wide open as the hard-court season builds toward Flushing Meadows.