Elena Rybakina has defeated Daria Kasatkina in three sets to reach the third round at the Canadian Open.

Playing in her first match since losing in the third round at Wimbledon, Rybakina won 6-3 5-7 6-4 in two hours and 35 minutes to set up a meeting with Ann Li in the next round.

Rybakina wasted little time in finding her rhythm in Toronto, breaking Kasatkina's first service game to take a 3-0 lead, while the Australian successfully defended three break points in the fourth game.

Though Rybakina also had to save two break points in the first, she was able to see out the set before the pair exchanged breaks at the start of the second.

And they did so again once more before Kasatkina converted a crucial break point in the 12th game, forcing a decider.

However, world number two Rybakina managed to get over the line, though she did so the hard way.

She served for the match in the 10th game at 5-4 up after gaining an advantage in the third, but she had to fend off three break points before clinching victory with her second match point.

Elsewhere in Toronto, Jessica Pegula bounced back from her Washington Open final defeat with a 3-6 6-3 6-2 win over Magdalena Frech.

Belinda Bencic also booked her place in the third round with a 6-3 6-1 win over Sloane Stephens, and she will face Taylor Townsend next after the American overcame Marie Bouzkova 7-6 (7-4) 7-5.

72 - In the last five years (since 2022), Elena Rybakina has 72 wins in hard-court WTA-1000, only Iga Swiatek (85) and Jessica Pegula (78) have more. Climbing. #NBO26 | @WTA @NBOtoronto pic.twitter.com/Fkr26GUQ7L

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) August 5, 2026

Rybakina overcomes inconsistent serve against Kasatkina

Rybakina got the job done in the end, recording her first win on the Tour since July 2, but it was far from easy for the 27-year-old.

Although she fired in 15 aces and won 80% of her first-serve points (43/54), Rybakina also committed 16 double-faults against Kasatkina.

Nevertheless, Rybakina has claimed the most WTA-1000 main draw wins this season, with this her 18th such victory.

And in the last five years (since 2022), Rybakina has 72 wins in hard-court WTA-1000 matches; only Iga Swiatek (85) and Pegula (78) have more.

Pegula, meanwhile, has 10 comeback wins this season, the most in WTA main draws along with Coco Gauff.