Rybakina on track in Toronto

ON TO THE NEXT: The world No. 2 took down Ann Li of the US in 90 minutes at the WTA Toronto Masters, while the US’ Ben Shelton dominated Zizou Bergs in Montreal

AFP, TORONTO and MONTREAL

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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 No. 2 Rybakina from Kazakhstan defeated American 28th seed Ann Li 6-2, 7-5 in 90 minutes, winning five of six break chances while saving two of four against her.

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.

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.

Fernandez last beat a player ranked so high when she downed fourth-rated Jessica Pegula on her way to last year’s WTA Washington title.

“I know I can endure long rallies, long matches,” Fernandez said. “So if it’s going to take 100 balls to hit to put it in to break her down, then so be it.”

Fernandez is next to 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.

Osaka fired seven aces and took four of eight break points while denying Mertens on her three break chances.

Fernandez and Osaka have split two career meetings, the Canadian winning at the 2021 US Open on the way to a runner-up finish. Osaka won last year at Wuhan.

US fourth seed Coco Gauff, a two-time Grand Slam winner, advanced by defeating Greece’s Maria Sakkari 6-1, 6-4 in 76 minutes.

Gauff is next to face 19-year-old Russian Alina Korneeva, who ousted US 13th seed Iva Jovic 6-3, 6-4. Korneeva won seven of eight break points to reach the last 16 after 82 minutes.

At the Montreal Masters, Ben Shelton threw down eight aces and produced three love games in the second set in dominating Zizou Bergs 6-3, 6-2 to reach the fourth round of the tournament.

Fifth seed Shelton, highest-ranked man remaining in a severely depleted field, improved his chance for a second straight title in Canada with the rout in 65 minutes.

The American profitted from foot faults and double-faults from his Belgian opponent in advancing to a round of 16 for the first time this season.

“It was a good day for me, I managed the match well,” 23-year-old Shelton said. “He came out serving extremely well. I had to make some adjustments.”

Shelton plays for a repeat spot in the last eight when he faces Brazilian teenager Joao Fonesca, who defeated ninth seed Casper Ruud 7-6 (8/6), 6-3.

Fonseca recovered after a slow start, trailing the Norwegian 4-2 before fighting his way back into contention.

The youngster finished off the win after leading 5-2, claiming victory on a second match point winner into the empty court.

“It was not easy at the start. He was serving well,” the Brazilian said. “I fought to finally get the win.”

Fonseca said he learned much after beating Ruud at Roland Garros: “Playing with the big guys this year was really important for my development.”

Tallon Griekspoor followed up his defeat of top-seeded Roland Garros champion Alexander Zverev, with the Dutchman gaining late momentum and getting through a rough patch for a 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 defeat of Matteo Arnakdi.

World No. 66 Griekspoor went up two breaks in the deciding set against the 2024 Canadian semi-finalist, lost one of them, but broke back for victory in his third match point after more than two hours.

“Tennis is such a tricky sport. It’s never over until the last ball is hit,” Griekspoor said.

Griekspoor would bid for a quarter-final place when he takes on Spaniard Daniel Merida, who put out Alex Michelsen 6-4, 6-7 (4/7), 6-1, saving two match points in the second set for the American.

Merida, who had never won a tour-level hardcourt match prior to this week, arrived in Canada after winning the Umag title on clay in Croatia last month.

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