Toronto rocked by shocks
The seeds are going down one after another at the National Bank Open. In the last 16, Aryna Sabalenka fell to Ekaterina Alexandrova, 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-4, after a bruising near three-set battle. The world No. 1 just couldn’t find the killer touch when it mattered.
Soon after, Jessica Pegula was beaten by Diana Shnaider, 6-3, 6-3. The American, usually so reliable on North American hard courts, never solved the problem posed by the Russian left-hander’s aggression.
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Swiatek survives the scare
Iga Swiatek avoided the trap, but only just. A set down to Marta Kostyuk, the Pole turned it around 3-6, 6-1, 6-2. The sort of statement win that a player aiming for the very top needs.
The draw has now been blown wide open. With Sabalenka and Pegula gone, the established order is already being chipped away before the quarter-finals. That leaves the field open for the outsiders at this Canadian Masters 1000.
A tournament gone off script
These exits are a reminder of a basic truth on the women’s tour. The depth is so strong that ranking and reputation only go so far, especially with the US Open coming up fast.
For Alexandrova and Shnaider, the opportunity is real. A Masters 1000 title path has rarely looked this clear.
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