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Sabalenka ends Canadian's strong run in Montreal tennis

Posted August 12, 2021 7:00 am

The Associated Press

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus serves to Canada's Rebecca Marino at the National Bank Open women's tennis tournament on Thursday Aug. 12, 2021, in Montreal. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP) The Associated Press

MONTREAL (AP) - Top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus ended Canadian Rebecca Marino's strong run at the National Bank Open on Thursday with a 6-1, 6-3 victory.

The 30-year-old Marino, a wild card ranked 220th, made it to the round of 16 by upsetting No. 16 seed Madison Keys and 31st-ranked Paula Badosa.

'œIt didn't matter who I was going to play. I just wanted to leave it all on the court and give it my best shot,'ť Marino said. 'œIn my heart, I feel like I belong with these players, I belong at this level. And I feel the results demonstrated that. '¦ I'm glad I got to show everyone how I play.'ť

Sabalenka, ranked No. 3, saved four break points to cruise to a 5-0 lead in the first set. Marino showed life in the second set with a pair of aces and held serve through the first six games. But she struggled with break points, going 0 for 5 in the match.

'œFor her, it was nothing to lose today and the crowd was supporting her, so she kind of was in a good shape and good mood,'ť Sabalenka said. 'œSo I was trying to not give her any opportunities to come back in the match or even to put any pressure on me. I was kind of aggressive from the beginning to the end. It's dangerous to play against players who have nothing to lose.'ť

Sabalenka will face eighth-seeded Aryna Azarenka, also of Belarus, in the quarterfinals Friday. Azarenka beat Maria Sakkari of Greece 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (2).

Fourth-seeded Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic beat Amanda Anisimova of the United States 6-1, 7-6 (8) to set up a quarterfinal match against Sara Sorribes Tormo of Spain. Sorribes Tormo edged Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic 6-7 (4), 6-0, 6-3.

Camila Giorgi of Italy beat seventh-seeded Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic 6-4, 6-4. She will face 15th-seeded Cori Gauff of the United States. Gauff advanced in a walkover after Johanna Konta of Britain withdrew because of a knee injury.

Second-seeded Bianca Andreescu of Canada, looking to defend her 2019 title, faced 13th-seeded Ons Jabeur of Tunisia in a night match. The winner will play the winner of the late match between Americans Danielle Collins and Jessica Pegula.

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus returns to Canada's Rebecca Marino at the National Bank Open women's tennis tournament on Thursday Aug. 12, 2021, in Montreal. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP) The Associated Press

Canada's Rebecca Marino pauses during her match against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at the National Bank Open women's tennis tournament on Thursday Aug. 12, 2021, in Montreal. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP) The Associated Press

Canada's Rebecca Marino returns to Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at the National Bank Open women's tennis tournament on Thursday Aug. 12, 2021, in Montreal. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP) The Associated Press

Petra Kvitova, of the Czech Republic, returns to Camila Giorgi, of Italy, during the National Bank Open women's tennis tournament Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021, in Montreal. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP) The Associated Press

Victoria Azarenka of Belarus celebrates her victory over Maria Sakkari of Greece at the women's National Bank Open tennis tournament in Montreal, Thursday Aug. 12, 2021. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP) The Associated Press

Petra Kvitova, left, of the Czech Republic congratulates Camila Giorgi of Italy for her win at the women's National Bank Open tennis tournament in Montreal, Thursday Aug. 12, 2021. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP) The Associated Press

Maria Sakkari of Greece reacts during her match against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus at the women's National Bank Open tennis tournament in Montreal, Thursday Aug. 12, 2021. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP) The Associated Press

Maria Sakkari of Greece waves to the crowd as she walks off the court after losing to Victoria Azarenka of Belarus at the women's National Bank Open tennis tournament in Montreal, Thursday Aug. 12, 2021. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP) The Associated Press

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