Sabalenka, Norrie Exit Canadian Open In Last 16

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka suffered a shock defeat at the Canadian Open, falling to Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova in the last 16 as her preparations for the US Open title defence suffered another setback.

The Belarusian was beaten 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 6-4 in a contest lasting nearly two and a half hours, BBC reported.

Alexandrova, the 16th seed, held her nerve in the deciding set and sealed the biggest win of her tournament after Sabalenka double-faulted while serving to remain in the match.

Sabalenka had fought back after losing the opening set, forcing a decider, but could not complete the comeback as Alexandrova secured her place in the quarter-finals.

The defeat extends a difficult summer for Sabalenka, who exited the French Open at the quarter-final stage before suffering a last-16 defeat at Wimbledon.

Read Also: Aryna Sabalenka Beats Pegula To Win First US Open

Alexandrova will face Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina in the quarter-finals after Svitolina defeated eighth-seeded American Amanda Anisimova 6-2, 6-4.

Elsewhere, third seed Jessica Pegula suffered her first career defeat by Russia’s Diana Shnaider, who won 6-3, 6-3 after producing strong finishes in both sets.

Shnaider will meet Iga Swiatek in the last eight after the seventh seed recovered from a difficult opening set to beat 10th seed Marta Kostyuk 3-6, 6-1, 6-2.

In the men’s competition in Montreal, Britain’s Cameron Norrie was eliminated by 18th seed Arthur Fils, who claimed a 6-2, 7-6 (10-8) victory.

Norrie saved three match points in the second set to force a tie-break but could not prevent Fils from completing the win in one hour and 43 minutes.

Fils will face Spanish teenager Rafael Jodar in the quarter-finals after the 19-year-old stunned eighth seed Jiri Lehecka 6-3, 6-3.

Brandon Nakashima and Italy’s Luciano Darderi also advanced after hard-fought three-set victories over Arthur Rinderknech and Nuno Borges respectively.