Elina Svitolina Comes Back From Behind Against Ekaterina Alexandrova To Clinch Semi-Final Berth In Toronto
Elina Svitolina orchestrated a brilliant comeback at the National Bank Open 2026 in Toronto, overcoming sixteenth-seeded Ekaterina Alexandrova 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 in a gripping 93-minute quarterfinal. Powered by clean, first-strike tennis and heavy serves, Alexandrova seized control early to take the opening set 3-6. However, the ninth-seeded Svitolina completely flipped the script in the second frame. Tightening her baseline defense and capitalizing on shorter second deliveries, the 2017 champion blanked her opponent 6-0 to level the match. Svitolina carried that relentless momentum into the decider, storming out to a 5-1 lead. Though Alexandrova fought back to 5-3, Svitolina held firm and broke in the final game to secure her 10th consecutive WTA 1000 match win, punching her ticket to the semifinals.
Ukraine's Elina Svitolina celebrates her win over Ekaterina Alexandrova during the National Bank Open tennis tournament in Toronto, Monday, Aug. 10, 2026. | Photo: Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP
Ekaterina Alexandrova gestures toward her coach during her second set reversal to Ukraine's Elina Svitolina during the National Bank Open tennis tournament in Toronto, Monday, Aug. 10, 2026. | Photo: Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP
Ukraine's Elina Svitolina hits a return to Ekaterina Alexandrova during the National Bank Open tennis tournament in Toronto, Monday, Aug. 10, 2026. | Photo: Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP
Ekaterina Alexandrova hits a return to Ukraine's Elina Svitolina during the National Bank Open tennis tournament in Toronto, Monday, Aug. 10, 2026. | Photo: Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP
Ukraine's Elina Svitolina hits a return to Ekaterina Alexandrova during the National Bank Open tennis tournament in Toronto, Monday, Aug. 10, 2026. | Photo: Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP
Ekaterina Alexandrova gestures toward her coach during her second set reversal to Ukraine's Elina Svitolina during the National Bank Open tennis tournament in Toronto, Monday, Aug. 10, 2026. | Photo: Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP
Ukraine's Elina Svitolina hits a return to Ekaterina Alexandrova during the National Bank Open tennis tournament in Toronto, Monday, Aug. 10, 2026. | Photo: Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP
Ukraine's Elina Svitolina hits a return to Ekaterina Alexandrova during the National Bank Open tennis tournament in Toronto, Monday, Aug. 10, 2026. | Photo: Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP
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