World No.4 but third seed at the
Canadian Open in
Elena Rybakina is through to the Last 16 at the Canadian Open albeit after surviving a scare against a returning
Jennifer Brady.
The match was stopped at 6-6, but Brady returned with the impetus starting at 4-2, she won three out of four points on return to take the opening set.
She was two points away from defeat from there in the second set. Brady broke at 4-5 down and took the lead from there despite being broken immediately back again.
It went to a tie break like the opening set. Brady looked likely to lose it but again rallied after being 3-1 and 5-2 down to Rybakina.
A break at 5-5 in favour of Brady saw her go two away, but Rybakina steadied the ship and won the next two points to claim it.
Brady had two chances in the final set to go 1-0 up and break but didn't take them. Rybakina didn't though on Brady's serve with three spurned.
This theme continued as Rybakina's level continued to improve and she got it at the right time at 5-3 up in a clean sweep game and she sealed the win comfortably from there.
For Rybakina, it is now Sloane Stephens tomorrow. But for Brady after a considerable time off the court, she will head into Cincinnati wondering what could've been, but with confidence that she can firmly still mix it with the best.