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Alexandrova Upsets World No. 1 Sabalenka in Canadian Open Thriller

8/9/2026

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Summary

Story summary

No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus) lost to Russian 16th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova, 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-4, in the Canadian Open fourth round.
The match ended when Sabalenka double-faulted on match point after Alexandrova saved two match points.
The win gave Alexandrova her third over a reigning world No. 1 and the second Canadian Open upset this century.
Sabalenka, title-less since the March Miami Open, will play the Cincinnati Open before the US Open.

History

Historical Context

In 2004 Anastasia Myskina became the first Russian woman to capture a Grand Slam, winning the French Open and finishing the season with over US $2 million in prize money, a milestone that followed Natasha Zvereva’s 1989 top-5 breakthrough. Her success opened a pipeline that saw Ekaterina Alexandrova defeat world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka at the 2024 Canadian Open, underscoring Russia’s lasting depth on the WTA Tour.

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Story summary

No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus) lost to Russian 16th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova, 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-4, in the Canadian Open fourth round.
The match ended when Sabalenka double-faulted on match point after Alexandrova saved two match points.
The win gave Alexandrova her third over a reigning world No. 1 and the second Canadian Open upset this century.
Sabalenka, title-less since the March Miami Open, will play the Cincinnati Open before the US Open.

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