Rybakina advances while Andreeva exits at Toronto

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 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.

Samsonova leads the career rivalry with Rybakina 4-2, but 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.

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.

“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.”

The Canadian left-hander won 24 of 27 points on her first serve and captured 17 of 23 points on Andreeva’s second serves to advance. Andreeva made 34 unforced errors to 17 winners.

“I’ve put in the work. I know physically I’m strong. 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 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.

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.

“It’s tough because she’s lefty,” Osaka said. “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.”

Gauff, Eala advance

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 cruised to a 5-1 lead in the second set before Sakkari rallied within two points of pulling level before winning five of the last six points, taking the match on a backhand volley winner and service winner.

“I’m happy with how I played. Maria is a tough opponent,” Gauff said. “Her level definitely raised toward the end of that second set but I’m glad I was able to close it out. That last game was a big test for me.”

Gauff will next 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.

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 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.