Alexandrova came into the tie having seen off Rybakina in Shenzhen back in January in their last battle in the final but the former hasn't impressed so far in the restart winning one match in Palermo albeit on clay but will now take on Iga Swiatek or Christina McHale next up.

It was very even to start off. It went on serve at 3-2 up with no break points in sight and both being dominant on their service games.

Alexandrova had the first half chance of a break at 30-0 up at 3-2 but Rybakina came back well only to lose her serve on the break point which allowed the former to go 5-2 up from there.

Two set points passed Alexandrova as Rybakina claimed three straight games and began to look up at 5-5. But the momentum once again switched with the Russian claiming the first set 7-5 after two clinical games.

In the second sets, there were no breaks between the pair as it went on serve at 5-5. But the danger was there at 6-5 up to Alexandrova that Rybakina could suffer an early exit if broken.

It went to another tiebreak and a big backhand return saw the Russian move through after saving two set points in the second set tiebreak.

Kristina Mladenovic is also through after a classy win over Anastasija Sevastova in a 6-3, 6-4 win hitting 30 winners en route despite 24 unforced errors. 5/7 break points were won by the Frenchwoman which held the difference. Next will be Elise Mertens or Rebecca Peterson.

Bernarda Pera has won the other tie so far defeating Heather Watson in a 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 tight win with an impressive 13 aces from the American the main statistic as she books a potential tie with Venus Williams next up. But the legendary compatriot will have to defeat Dayana Yastremska.

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