SportyTV | Rybakina overcomes second-set wobble to reach Canadian Open last 16

Elena Rybakina came from 5-3 down in the second set to book her place in the last 16 of the Canadian Open with a victory over Ann Li.

Rybakina will face either Liudmila Samsonova or qualifier Maya Joint for a spot in the quarter-finals in Toronto, after claiming a 6-2 7-5 win over her American opponent.

The second seed appeared set to cruise into the next round following a blistering start that saw her break Li twice in quick succession en route to a commanding 4-1 lead.

Li was able to register a break of her own in the first set, but that only delayed the inevitable as Rybakina claimed the advantage with a composed love service game.

A rain delay briefly paused play before the second set, and that break seemed to benefit Li, who began to trade blows and compete with Rybakina in longer rallies.

Having missed a break point in the sixth game, Li did not waste that opportunity for a second time as she got the better of Rybakina's serve and threatened to force a decider.

However, Li squandered two set points, allowing Rybakina a way back into the contest, which she ruthlessly punished as she sealed her progression with a blistering forehand that her opponent was unable to return.

Marching on

The No.2 seed Elena Rybakina books her place in the Round of 16, defeating Li 6-2, 7-5!#NBO26 pic.twitter.com/luGqECLvpU
— wta (@WTA) August 7, 2026

Seventh heaven for Rybakina but sterner tests to come

In what was the first career meeting between Li and Rybakina, the two-time grand slam champion was certainly put through her paces, but she was able to get over the line.

And in doing so, Rybakina became the only player to reach the round of 16 at each of the seven WTA-1000 events this season.

Meanwhile, since the start of the 2020 campaign, only four players have reached this stage at such events more times than Rybakina's 31.

In fact, only Aryna Sabalenka (24) has claimed more WTA-level match wins on hard courts than Rybakina (23, level with Jessica Pegula) so far this season, though she has yet to truly sparkle in North America thus far.