Rybakina advances while Andreeva exits at Toronto

Reigning Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina advanced to the fourth round of the WTA Toronto Masters on Friday while French Open winner Mirra Andreeva was eliminated by Canada’s Leylah Fernandez.

World number two Rybakina from Kazakhstan defeated American 28th seed Ann Li 6-2, 7-5 in 90 minutes, winning five of six break chances while saving two of four against her.

Rybakina, who also won the 2022 Wimbledon title, advanced to a last-16 meeting with the winner of a later match between Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova and Australian Maya Joint.

Fernandez, the 30th seed, dispatched 19-year-old Russian fifth seed Andreeva 6-1, 6-4 in 80 minutes.

Fernandez won 24 of 27 points on her first serve and captured 17 of 23 points on Andreeva’s second serves to advance.

The Canadian will next face the winner of a later match between four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka, the 11th seed from Japan, and Belgium’s 20th-seeded Elise Mertens.

Also advancing was 19-year-old Russian Alina Korneeva, who ousted US 13th seed Iva Jovic 6-3, 6-4. Korneeva won seven of eight break points to reach the last 16 after 82 minutes.

Next in Korneeva’s path will be the winner of a night match between US fourth seed Coco Gauff and Greece’s Maria Sakkari.

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