Ahead of her US Open title defence, Aryna Sabalenka suffered a 7-6(3) 4-6 6-4 loss to Ekaterina Alexandrova in the fourth round of the National Bank Open in Toronto, extending what has been an uncharacteristically difficult stretch for the world No. 1 that dates back to April.
After completing the Sunshine Double in March with back-to-back WTA 1000 titles in Indian Wells and Miami, Sabalenka has since posted results that are below her lofty standards, including quarterfinal and fourth-round exits at the French Open and Wimbledon, respectively.
Yet while the impression is that the world No. 1 is going through a rough patch, the reality is far less concerning. Sabalenka remains formidable, particularly on hard courts, where she has recorded more Tour-level wins than any other player in 2026. She is 25-2 on the surface this season, with her only defeats coming against Elena Rybakina in the Australian Open final and Alexandrova in Toronto.
Fighting to advance to the National Bank Open quarterfinals, Sabalenka recovered from a set down to force a decider, but a double fault when serving to stay in the match handed Alexandrova victory and tied her head-to-head record with Sabalenka to 5-5.
Seed No. 16 Alexandrova will face Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina for a place in the semifinals, after she defeated American eighth seed Amanda Anisimova 6-2 6-4.
