Reigning Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina moved into the fourth round of the WTA Toronto Masters on Friday, while French Open winner Mirra Andreeva saw her tournament run end at the hands of Canada’s Leylah Fernandez.
World number two Rybakina, representing Kazakhstan, navigated past American 28th seed Ann Li with a 6-2, 7-5 victory. The 90-minute match saw Rybakina convert five of her six break-point opportunities while successfully defending two of the four break chances she faced. The 2022 Wimbledon champion is now set to face Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova, who earned her spot by defeating Australian Maya Joint 7-5, 6-7 (3/7), 6-2. Although Samsonova holds a 4-2 career advantage, Rybakina has claimed victory in their two most recent WTA encounters, including last year’s final in Strasbourg.
Leylah Fernandez, the 30th seed, produced a dominant display to dispatch the 19-year-old fifth-ranked Andreeva 6-1, 6-4. The 80-minute contest marked a significant breakthrough for the Canadian, as it snapped a seven-match losing streak against top-10 opponents. Reflecting on the win, Fernandez noted, “The key for me was to stay positive, stay strong, and to keep being patient. She wasn’t going to give away some easy balls.”
Fernandez’s tactical approach proved effective as she won 24 of 27 points on her first serve. Despite Andreeva committing 34 unforced errors, Fernandez maintained her focus, stating, “I’ve put in the work. I know physically I’m strong. I know I can endure long rallies, long matches. So if it’s going to take 100 balls to hit to put it in to break her down, then so be it.”
In the next round, Fernandez will square off against 11th-seeded Naomi Osaka. The four-time Grand Slam champion from Japan advanced by defeating Belgian 20th seed Elise Mertens 6-1, 6-2 in just 71 minutes. Osaka recorded seven aces and successfully saved all three break points she faced. The two players have split their previous two meetings, with Osaka noting the challenge of facing a left-hander: “It’s tough because she’s lefty. Obviously there aren’t many lefties on tour, so it takes me awhile to get used to that.”
US fourth seed Coco Gauff also secured a place in the next round, overcoming Greece’s Maria Sakkari 6-1, 6-4 in 76 minutes. Although Sakkari mounted a late challenge in the second set, Gauff held firm to close out the match. “Her level definitely raised toward the end of that second set but I’m glad I was able to close it out. That last game was a big test for me,” Gauff remarked. She is scheduled to meet 19-year-old Russian Alina Korneeva, who defeated US 13th seed Iva Jovic 6-3, 6-4 after converting seven of eight break points.
Alexandra Eala, the 21-year-old left-hander from the Philippines who captured her first WTA title in Washington earlier this week, extended her momentum by defeating American Caty McNally 6-3, 5-7, 6-4. The match lasted two hours and 39 minutes and required Eala to receive medical attention for her right ankle while leading 3-2 in the second set.
Following her victory, Eala is set to face Swiss 12th seed Belinda Bencic. Bencic advanced after a grueling three-hour and 24-minute battle against American Taylor Townsend, eventually winning 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/4), 6-4.
Rybakina, who also won the 2022 Wimbledon title, advanced to a last-16 meeting with Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova, who outlasted Australian Maya Joint 7-5, 6-7 (3/7), 6-2.
The Canadian left-hander won 24 of 27 points on her first serve and captured 17 of 23 points on Andreeva’s second serves to advance.
Andreeva made 34 unforced errors to 17 winners.
Fernandez and Osaka have split two career meetings, the Canadian winning at the 2021 US Open on the way to a runner-up finish.
I really appreciate that about her.”
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