Elena Rybakina overturned a two-break deficit in the deciding set as she rallied to defeat Liudmila Samsonova at the Canadian Open.

World number one Aryna Sabalenka was a big-name casualty in Toronto over the weekend, and it seemed as though Rybakina could well join her when she went 3-0 down in the third set.

However, the world number two prevailed 6-4 4-6 6-4 to progress to the quarter-finals.

Samsonova showed her threat from the off, getting on top of Rybakina's serve in the very first game.

However, Rybakina immediately hit back, only for the duo to exchange a further two breaks each in a frantic opening set.

Rybakina eventually found the edge, breaking Samsonova for the fourth time to take the lead.

Samsonova tightened up on serve in the second set, though, and the world number 55 clinched the crucial break in order to level up and force a decider.

The momentum was firmly against Rybakina as she went a double-break down, yet the two-time grand slam champion then reeled off four straight games.

Samsonova fended off three break points to drag herself level at 4-4, but Rybakina got the job done when her opponent skewed into the net to cap off a break to love.

3 - Elena Rybakina is the only player to reach the quarterfinals at all three North American WTA-1000 events this season (Indian Wells, Miami and Canada). Amazing#NBO26 | @NBOtoronto @WTA pic.twitter.com/YdXovujltS

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) August 9, 2026

Rybakina stands alone in North America 

Rybakina is the only player to reach the quarter-finals at all three North American WTA 1000 events this season (Indian Wells, Miami and Canada).

The 27-year-old has now reached five quarter-finals at WTA 1000 tournaments this season, which leads the Tour, along with Jessica Pegula.

Overall, she has made 22 quarter-finals at such events, while this is her third such last-eight run at the Canadian Open, after 2023 and 2025.