By Chris Oddo | Thursday August 9, 2018
Aryna Sabalenka knocked off second-seeded Caroline Wozniacki while Maria Sharapova was stopped by Caroline Garcia in Montreal.
Photo Source: Ezra Shaw/Getty
20-year-old Aryna Sabalenka notched her biggest career win by ranking on Thursday in Montreal, saving three match points to take down No.2-seeded Caroline Wozniacki, 5-7, 6-2, 7-6(4).
The World No. 39 bravely saved three match points at 3-5 in the third set— winning a backhand to backhand rally on the first, acing the Dane on the second, and crushing a winner that was set up by a big serve on the third—before breaking for 5-all and eventually taking charge in the tiebreaker to claim victory.
Sabalenka improves to 1-2 against the Top 5 and 2-4 against the Top 10 with her victory.
Wozniacki, making her first appearance since Wimbledon, played the match with heavy strapping on her right thigh. Last week the Dane pulled out of the Citi Open due to the injury but she said it had no impact on her performance on Thursday.
“I didn't win any of the match points,” Wozniacki said after the match. “I had an opportunity. I didn't get it.”
Sabalenka is currently facing Belgium’s Elise Mertens for a spot in the final. She is playing two matches on Thursday because rain cancelled her match with Wozniacki on Wednesday.
Garcia Rallies Past Sharapova
Caroline Garcia powered past Maria Sharapova 6-3 6-2 to reach the quarterfinal at the Coupe Rogers for a consecutive season. The Frenchwoman dominated Sharapova from start to finish to earn her second victory over the Russian in six career matches.
Garcia won 34 of 62 (55%) of return points and secured five breaks on 10 opportunities while holding Sharapova to just one break on two opportunities.
Garcia reaches her seventh quarterfinal of the season and will next face either Simona Halep or Venus Williams.