Canadian Open: Aryna Sabalenka stunned as Jannik Sinner continues his run to fifth title of the season | Tennis News

Aryna Sabalenka saw her Canadian Open hopes dashed when Amanda Anisimova shocked the tournament favourite in Toronto to reach her first WTA 1000 semifinal.

The 22-year-old American, who is taking a sabbatical from tennis in 2023 to prioritize her mental health, secured a 6-4 6-2 victory, her fifth victory over Sabalenka in seven career meetings.

“She’s an incredible player, so it’s always really tough to play against her. I played against her earlier this year at the Australian Open when she was on fire,” Anisimova said.

“I came in with a little bit of a different game plan and I was really happy with how I was able to execute it today.

“I’ve had a lot of games in the last couple of weeks, and it’s been really nice to be able to play day in and day out. I’m really happy to be here.”

Anisimova will face Emma Navarro next after the eighth seed She secured a 6-3 7-6 (7-5) victory over lucky-loser Taylor Townsend in an all-American quarter-final.

Thanks to this victory, Navarro, 23, also reached the first WTA 1000 semifinal of her career.

Jannik Sinner continued his defense of his Canadian Open title by overcoming Alejandro Tabilo and reaching the quarterfinals in Montreal, where he will face Andrey Rublev later on Saturday.

Italian world No. 1 Sinner has shown little sign of lingering problems after missing the Paris Olympics with tonsillitis.

Sinner, who retired from his doubles partnership with Britain’s Jack Draper, overcame a slow start to break the Chilean early in the second set and take a 6-4 6-3 victory in an hour and 21 minutes.

Sinner will next face fifth seed Andrey Rublev, who defeated American Brandon Nakashima 6-2 6-2; their match will be played later on Saturday due to rain delays on Friday.

“Tricky opponent, tricky conditions,” Sinner said. “It’s difficult to play against this type of player. A huge left-hander, great potential.

“I had to be very careful, looking a lot to play the game. It looked like a good game. I know in my mind that I have to play one more time. [today]so there is not much time to be happy and recover.

“If I wanted to play the second match today, I would have had to win the first. So if it took three or four hours, it will take that long. It will be a tough match against Andrey. He played great today.”

Sinner holds a 5-2 advantage over Rublev in their meetings, having defeated the fifth seed en route to the Australian Open title in January.

With this victory, Sinner also became the first player to qualify for the year-end Nitto ATP Finals in Turin.

In the meantime, Kei Nishikori reached his first ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinal since Rome in 2019 after beating Portuguese Nuno Borges 6-3 6-4 and will play Matthew Arnaldi after his opponent, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, withdrew due to injury.

Sebastian Kordawho won last week’s ATP event in Washington, also advanced to the last eight after Norway’s sixth-seeded Casper Ruud withdrew due to illness. Korda had earlier beaten compatriot Taylor Fritz 6-4 7-6 (7-4) in their postponed second-round meeting.

Germany Alexander ZverevWorld number 4, defeated Holger Rune 6-3 7-6 (7-5) to book a quarter-final against Korda while Alexei Popyrin He saved three match points during the second set, defeating Grigor Dimitrov 4-6 7-6 (5) 6-3.

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Ahead of the final Grand Slam of 2024, the US Open, you’ll be able to see all the biggest tennis stars in action Live on Sky Sport as they compete during the season on the hard courts.

• National Bank Open, Montreal (ATP 1000) – August 6-12
• National Bank Open, Toronto (WTA 1000) – August 6-12
• Cincinnati Open (ATP 1000) – August 12-19
• Cincinnati Open (WTA 1000) – August 13-19
• Winston-Salem Open (ATP 250) – August 18-24
• Tennis in the Land, Cleveland (WTA 250) – August 18-24
• GNP Seguros Open, Monterrey (WTA 500) – August 19-24
• US Open (ATP/WTA) – August 26 – September 8

Watch the WTA and ATP tours throughout 2024 on Vscek Tennis. Watch Vscek Tennis and more with a NOW Sports Month subscription. No contract, cancel anytime.