TORONTO — On a humid, sultry evening, facing the hottest player in the world, Ekaterina Alexandrova maintained her composure.
The 16th seed stunned world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka with a thrilling 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-4 victory in a captivating Round of 16 clash at the National Bank Open presented by Rogers.
This match was a rollercoaster of breathtaking shots and frustrating blunders, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats with every serve.
As unpredictable as it was thrilling, Alexandrova embraced the challenges, recognizing the risks of trying to keep pace with Sabalenka’s powerful game while resolutely aiming to seize the moment.
“I anticipated a tough match, but had no preconceived notions beyond that,” shared Alexandrova. “My goal was to play as aggressively as possible, even if it meant accumulating unforced errors.”
The contest was marked by its peculiarities — a rare service hiccup for Sabalenka in a crucial tie-break to drop the first set; both players recorded seven double faults and each broke serve six times without establishing solid momentum. Perhaps the most bizarre moment occurred when a seemingly routine high volley from Sabalenka turned into an unintended net error.
While Sabalenka displayed her frustration throughout the match, Alexandrova remained unflappable.
“I focused on playing every ball, regardless of the score,” remarked Alexandrova, currently ranked 19th globally. “I refrained from thinking about whether it was my only opportunity or what lay ahead; I just aimed to maintain my focus.”
The unpredictable nature of their service battles dictated the match’s outcome, showcasing Sabalenka’s immense power which, at times, sacrificed precision. Alexandrova recognized this and capitalized accordingly.
“I tried to be more aggressive on the return because her serve is such an asset,” Alexandrova noted. “Creating pressure on her first serve is crucial, giving me those crucial few seconds to play my shots without allowing her too much time.”
“It worked occasionally, but it also led to errors,” she admitted.
As dramatic as the service game was, it seemed fitting for the match to conclude with a double fault from Sabalenka after she had just fired an ace to remain in contention. The unpredictable nature of tennis, indeed!
For Alexandrova, sharing the court with the world No. 1 and toppling such a formidable opponent in front of a crowd leaning towards the top seed was invaluable. “Sabalenka has an incredible serve and can execute amazing shots from both wings,” she praised. “She has a versatile game, capable of drop shots and volleys — she can do it all.”
But on this occasion, Alexandrova outperformed, earning her place in the quarter-finals. She will next face ninth-seeded Elina Svitolina, who swiftly defeated Amanda Anisimova with a straight-sets score of 6-2, 6-4, to round off Saturday’s activities.
Earlier, Iga Swiatek secured her spot in the quarter-finals with a 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 win over Marta Kostyuk, a match that was closer than the score reflected.
This comeback victory was a significant challenge for Swiatek, who had breezed through the initial rounds. After losing just three games in her first two matches, she found herself down early against Kostyuk.
As the first set unfolded, it appeared she might fall to her 10-seed rival, Kostyuk, who had previously eliminated Swiatek in the Round of 16 at Roland Garros. Before that, Swiatek had a 3-0 career record against Kostyuk, without losing a set.
With the crowd chanting the names of both players, Swiatek shook off her sluggish start and set the tone for the following sets.
This meant enhancing her service game, responding to Kostyuk’s returns with aggression, and taking calculated risks.
“I knew I could elevate my game,” Swiatek said after the match, reflecting on her shift in dynamics between sets. “In the second set, I played bolder, seizing opportunities while pushing Marta a bit more.”
And it worked. Swiatek took command and matched the heat, coolly responding to every challenge on her way to victory — it took her six match points to secure the win.
“Though the score didn’t suggest it, we fought for every point,” Swiatek reflected. “There weren’t many easy points.”
Looking ahead, Swiatek can expect no simple victories in her next match. Following her win, 15th-seeded Diana Shnaider upset two-time tournament champion Jessica Pegula in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3, to progress to the quarter-finals, where she will face Swiatek.
This second match resembled a tense game of chess, with both women employing creative net play to keep each other guessing. They were familiar opponents; just last month, Pegula had triumphed over Shnaider in the semifinals in Washington D.C., having also bested her in Charleston earlier in April. Shnaider’s victory marks her first win over Pegula — in a tournament the American knows intimately. Two years ago, on this very court, Pegula claimed the title of the 2024 National Bank Open, successfully defending her championship from the previous year.
Shnaider had reached the semifinals in 2024 but fell to Pegula. This time, she turned the tide in her favor as she seeks to secure her place beyond the final four.
“Things are going well so far,” Shnaider said. “I adore Toronto, and I was eager to return. This is only my second appearance, but I love the courts and the supportive crowd. I have cherished memories here, and I hope to continue this momentum.”
