Elena Rybakina advanced to the fourth round of the National Bank Open in Toronto on Friday, defeating American 28th seed Ann Li 6-2, 7-5 in straight sets. The second-seeded Kazakhstani, ranked World No. 2, will next face Liudmila Samsonova in the Round of 16.
Rybakina’s path to victory was not without challenge. Down 5-3 in the second set, she saved two set points before reeling off four consecutive games to secure the match in 90 minutes. According to WTA coverage, Rybakina won five of six break chances and converted the decisive moments when it mattered most.
The win marks a continuation of Rybakina’s strong 2026 season. She captured the Australian Open in January, defeating Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in the final to claim her second career Grand Slam title. That triumph propelled her to a career-high ranking of World No. 2 in March, a position she has maintained through the summer hard-court swing.
Rybakina’s record at the National Bank Open shows a pattern of deep runs. She has reached the semifinals in each of her last two appearances at the Toronto tournament, posting an 8-4 career record at the event. This year’s tournament features a strong field, with top seed Aryna Sabalenka already eliminated and Rybakina positioned as a title contender in the bottom half of the draw.
The Li victory came after Rybakina survived a three-set battle against Daria Kasatkina in Round 2, winning 6-3, 5-7, 6-4. Her straight-sets win over Li represents steadier form as the tournament progresses. The 27-year-old from Kazakhstan will look to maintain momentum against Samsonova, a skilled serve-and-volley player who has shown strong form on hard courts throughout her career.
Sources
- WTA Tennis — match result, set points saved, and break chances won
- National Bank Open (official tournament site) — seeding, career record at the event, and semifinal history
- ESPN — tournament results and upcoming fourth-round opponent
- Australian Open (official) — 2026 women’s singles final result and Rybakina’s second Grand Slam title
- Taipei Times — match duration and break-point statistics
