In a thrilling performance, second-seeded Elena Rybakina triumphed in the Round of 16 at the National Bank Open presented by Rogers, defeating American Ann Li with a scoreline of 6-2, 7-5 at Sobeys Stadium on Friday.
The Kazakhstan star leads the bottom section of the 96-player draw at this prestigious WTA Tour event, impressively saving two set points during her 90-minute victory.
Earlier in the day, Russia’s Alina Korneeva stunned 13th-seeded American Iva Jovic, clinching the match 6-3, 6-4.
Later in the afternoon, Laval, Quebec’s Leylah Fernandez, the No. 30 seed, was set to face fifth-seeded Russian Mirra Andreeva on the center court.
Fernandez stands as the sole Canadian left in the fiercely competitive WTA 1000 hardcourt tournament.
Unfortunately, five Canadian wild-card entrants were eliminated in the first round, while Katherine Sebov from Toronto and Kayla Cross from London, Ont., bowed out in the second round.
In first-round doubles action, Cross teamed up with Bianca Andreescu from Mississauga, Ont., but they fell to American Quinn Gleason and Norway’s Ulrikke Eikeri with scores of 6-4, 7-6 (3).
With their defeat, Andreescu and Cross became the final Canadian presence in the doubles competition.
Sisters Leylah and Bianca Fernandez both exited the tournament after losing their opener on Thursday, while Ottawa’s Gabriela Dabrowski was also eliminated alongside her Russian partner Ekaterina Alexandrova.
In a highly anticipated matchup Friday night, fourth-seeded American Coco Gauff was set to clash with 29th-seeded Maria Sakkari of Greece.
The late match will highlight the rising Filipino talent Alexandra Eala, seeded 25th, taking on the American Caty McNally.
Action will continue through Thursday at this impressive US$7.43-million tournament.
