The US Open
Summer of discontent continues for Sabalenka
WTA world number one Aryna Sabalenka was handed a shock defeat in Toronto two weeks before she begins her US Open title defence.
Sabalenka lost 7-6 (7-3) 4-6 6-4 to Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova in a match lasting almost two and a half hours in Toronto.
The Belarusian had comeback from a set down to take the match into a decider, but a double fault when serving to stay in the match gifted the 16th seed victory.
This is the latest defeat in what has been a difficult summer for Sabalenka, having been knocked out in the quarter-finals and last 16 of the French Open and Wimbledon.
“I just tried to play every single point as if it was the last one because with her, you don’t [get] a lot of chances during the match,” Alexandrova said.
“I’m super happy that I could win because after the second set, I thought [the chance] was already past me.”
Russian Alexandrova will next face Ukranian Elina Svitolina for a place in the semis, after she defeated eighth seed Amanda Anisimova 6-2 6-4.
Main photo:-Aryna Sabalenka suffers shock defeat in Toronto ©WTATennis.com