TORONTO — Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1 on the WTA Tour, was eliminated Saturday at the Canadian Open, in the biggest upset of the tournament. She exited in three sets 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-4 to Ekaterina Alexandrova, the world No. 19, in 2 hours and 29 minutes. It was a frustrating performance for Sabalenka, defined by uncharacteristic unforced errors and underwhelming serving.

The match started on track for Sabalenka. She broke Alexandrova’s serve and consolidated to go up 2-0. But Alexandrova won four straight games to go up 4-2. The cracks in Sabalenka’s game were appearing, and when she made mistakes, she became visibly frustrated. She served at a disappointing 46.2 percent in the first set and recorded five double faults. Sabalenka won just nine points on her second serve, succumbing to the power of Alexandrova’s return. Even in the tiebreak, where Sabalenka is often reliable, her lack of precision allowed Alexandrova to take advantage and win the opening set.

The shot that arguably exemplified Sabalenka’s match occurred in the second set. At 1-1,0-15, Sabalenka looked to break serve. Alexandrova gave Sabalenka a high ball, pulled off the court, presenting the opportunity for an overhead smash winner. Only Sabalenka dumped the shot in the net. The crowd gasped and Sabalenka looked dazed. Alexandrova would eventually hold serve, a missed chance for Sabalenka to seize back control of the match.

An opening came at the end of the second set. After saving three break points, Sabalenka broke Alexandrova’s serve once. The one break was the difference as Sabalenka captured the second set, the crowd cheering her on.

Any hopes for a Sabalenka comeback ran out in the third set. She continued to commit errors, and her frustration remained evident. Alexandrova broke her serve three more times for a total of seven breaks in the match, including the final game. Sabalenka double-faulted on match point, also her seventh of the day, putting an exclamation point on an irritating evening for the top seed.

Alexandrova will face the winner of Saturday night’s match between Elina Svitolina and Amanda Anisimova in the quarterfinals. Sabalenka remains at three singles titles in 2026 as she prepares to defend her 2025 U.S. Open championship.

This story will be updated.

The top stories and transfer rumours from Sunday’s newspapers…

Premier League

Cristian Romero is open to joining Arsenal this summer – but Tottenham are adamant their defender will not be crossing the north London divide – Sunday Mirror

Everton and Crystal Palace are in discussions over a potential swap deal between Dwight McNeil and Brennan Johnson – Mail on Sunday

Barcelona are confident they can reach a compromise agreement with Manchester City for £68m-rated Rodri as they prepare a revised bid – Mail on Sunday

Arsenal are once again eyeing up a move for Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz after seeing their ambitious bid to lure Vinicius Junior to the Premier League fall flat – Sunday Mirror

Enzo Maresca will choose his own Manchester City captain rather than put the decision to a team election and wants to inject some English influence into his leadership group – Mail on Sunday

Non-League

Andy Carroll was sent off with a straight red card in Dagenham & Redbridge’s first game of the season after an off-the-ball incident – The Sun

Scottish Football

Rangers have tabled an improved offer for PSV Eindhoven winger Couhaib Driouech – The Scottish Sun

Greg Taylor would reportedly be OPEN to a stunning Celtic return this summer – just one year after leaving Parkhead for PAOK – The Scottish Sun