World Number One Aryna Sabalenka Stunned By Alexandrova At Canadian Open.
World number one Aryna Sabalenka has suffered a shock early exit from the Canadian Open after being defeated by Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova in a dramatic fourth round encounter in Toronto.
Alexandrova, the 16th seed, produced one of the biggest wins of her season to defeat the four time Grand Slam champion 7 6, 4 6, 6 4 in a match lasting two hours and 29 minutes. The Russian made an impressive start to the contest, recovering from an early 2 0 deficit before taking control of the opening set. She repeatedly put pressure on Sabalenka's serve and eventually forced a tie break, which she won comfortably.
Sabalenka responded strongly in the second set and showed the fighting qualities that have helped her reach the top of women's tennis. The Belarusian managed to level the match and appeared to have regained momentum heading into the deciding set.
However, Alexandrova remained composed and continued to attack Sabalenka's powerful serve. Her aggressive returning created several opportunities, while she remained focused during the crucial stages of the final set. Sabalenka fought hard to stay in the contest and saved two match points while serving at 4 5. She was unable to escape on the third opportunity, however, with a double fault ending the match and sending Alexandrova through to the quarter finals.
The victory was particularly significant for Alexandrova because it marked her fifth win over Sabalenka in 10 WTA meetings. She has now also recorded three career victories against world number one players. Alexandrova's victory also represents an important turnaround during a difficult 2026 season. She entered the Canadian Open with an 11 18 record for the year and had slipped to 19th in the WTA rankings after finishing the previous season inside the world's top 10.
The Russian will now face Elina Svitolina in the quarter finals. Svitolina reached the last eight after defeating eighth seed Amanda Anisimova in straight sets. For Sabalenka, the defeat represents a setback in her preparations for the US Open, where she is the reigning champion. The hard court Grand Slam begins later this month, making the Canadian Open an important part of her preparation.
Despite the disappointment, Sabalenka remains one of the leading contenders heading into the US Open. Her early Canadian Open exit, however, gives Alexandrova a major confidence boost and provides another reminder of the depth and unpredictability of the women's game.
Alexandrova's performance in Toronto will now give her an opportunity to build momentum during the final stages of the tournament. Her victory over the world's top ranked player could prove to be a significant moment in her season as she looks to return towards the upper levels of the WTA rankings.
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