Muscat: World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus suffered a defeat at the hands of Russia's Ekaterina Alexandrova, 7-6, 4-6, 6-4, in the fourth round of the Canada Open tennis tournament.
According to Oman News Agency, after Sabalenka-a four-time Grand Slam champion and reigning US Open title-holder-managed to level the match by claiming the second set, she was unable to withstand Alexandrova's powerful groundstrokes in the final set, suffering a setback in her preparations for the US Open with the loss.
Alexandrova, ranked 16th in the world, battled through a gruelling encounter lasting nearly two and a half hours to secure her place in the tournament's quarterfinals.
Alexandrova will next face Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, who defeated American Amanda Anisimova-the world No. 8-by a score of 6-2, 6-4, as both vie for a spot in the semifinals.
