Reigning Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina advanced to the fourth round of the WTA Toronto Masters on Friday, while French Open winner Mirra Andreeva was eliminated by Canada’s Leylah Fernandez. World number two Rybakina, representing Kazakhstan, defeated American 28th seed Ann Li 6-2, 7-5 in 90 minutes. Rybakina successfully converted five of six break chances while saving two of four against her own serve.
The 2022 Wimbledon champion now moves to a last-16 meeting with Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova, who outlasted Australian Maya Joint 7-5, 6-7 (3/7), 6-2. While Samsonova leads the career rivalry 4-2, Rybakina has won their past two WTA meetings, most recently in last year’s Strasbourg final.
Fernandez, the 30th seed, dispatched 19-year-old fifth-ranked Russian Andreeva 6-1, 6-4 in 80 minutes, snapping a seven-match losing streak against top-10 opponents. The Canadian left-hander dominated the court, winning 24 of 27 points on her first serve and capturing 17 of 23 points on Andreeva’s second serves. Andreeva struggled with consistency throughout the match, committing 34 unforced errors compared to 17 winners.
“The key for me was to stay positive, stay strong, and to keep being patient,” Fernandez said. “She wasn’t going to give away some easy balls. 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.”
Fernandez will next face four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka, the 11th seed from Japan who defeated Belgium’s 20th-seeded Elise Mertens 6-1, 6-2 in 71 minutes. The two players have split their previous two career meetings, with the Canadian winning at the 2021 US Open on her way to a runner-up finish. Osaka won their most recent encounter last year at Wuhan.
“It’s tough because she’s lefty,” Osaka said of facing Fernandez. “Obviously there aren’t many lefties on tour, so it takes me awhile to get used to that. She has a really good attitude. I’ve never seen her down. She always keeps fighting. I really appreciate that about her.”
US fourth seed Coco Gauff advanced by defeating Greece’s Maria Sakkari 6-1, 6-4 in 76 minutes. Gauff cruised to a 5-1 lead in the second set before Sakkari rallied, though Gauff ultimately closed 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,” Gauff noted. She will next face 19-year-old Russian Alina Korneeva, who ousted US 13th seed Iva Jovic 6-3, 6-4.
Alexandra Eala, the 21-year-old Philippines left-hander who won her first WTA title Monday at Washington, reached the fourth round by defeating American Caty McNally 6-3, 5-7, 6-4. Eala required medical attention for her right ankle while leading 3-2 in the second set but persevered through a two-hour and 39-minute battle. She is set to face Swiss 12th seed Belinda Bencic, who outlasted American Taylor Townsend 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 in a marathon match lasting three hours and 24 minutes.
Korneeva won seven of eight break points to reach the last 16 after 82 minutes.
Eala had her right ankle taped by a trainer leading 3-2 in the second set, was broken at love in the sixth game and pushed to a third set before taking the victory after two hours and 39 minutes.
World number 20 Eala next faces Swiss 12th seed Belinda Bencic, who outlasted American Taylor Townsend 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 after three hours and 24 minutes.
That last game was a big test for me.”
