In an exciting showdown, sixth-seeded Ekaterina Alexandrova from Russia triumphed over Australia’s Talia Gibson with a score of 5-7, 6-1, 6-3 on Thursday, securing her spot in the fourth round of the National Bank Open women’s tennis tournament.
Joining Alexandrova in the Round of 16 is seventh seed Iga Swiatek from Poland, who dominated Viktorija Golubic from Switzerland with a decisive 6-2, 6-1 victory at Sobeys Stadium.
Later in the day, Alexandrova teamed up with Ottawa’s Gabriela Dabrowski for their first-round doubles match against the American duo Coco Gauff and Caty McNally. Unfortunately, heavy rain interrupted the action while Dabrowski was serving at 3-3 in the opening set.
Typically paired with Luisa Stefani of Brazil, Dabrowski’s partner was absent due to a decision to rest an elbow injury ahead of the WTA 1000 hardcourt event.
In another exciting matchup, Leylah Fernandez and Bianca Fernandez from Laval, Quebec, were set to face Belgium’s Elise Mertens and Russia’s Diana Shnaider in a late-afternoon clash.
Action continues until August 13 at this prestigious US$7.43-million tournament.
