Aryna Sabalenka had to fight through a nervy final game before putting away Zhang Shuai 6-3, 6-4 on Thursday to reach the Round of 16 at the 2026 Canadian Open. The world No. 1 took 76 minutes to finish off the veteran in Toronto.
Zhang, who managed just one unforced error on the day, pressed hardest at the end of the match.
How Aryna Sabalenka’s Power Overcame Zhang Shuai in Straight Sets
With Sabalenka trying to serve things out, the Belarusian veteran earned a break point. Then Sabalenka answered with three of her own, punctuating the hold with a forehand winner and a crisp volley. In all, Sabalenka converted two of three break chances and turned back both of Zhang's.
"That was definitely tricky. She played great," Sabalenka said postmatch.
"It was tough to face when you want to finish the match and go rest. And you know there was the break point. I'm happy that I managed to stay focused and close this match in straight sets."
Her serve did the heavy lifting throughout. Sabalenka won 81% of first-serve points and struck five aces. The victory also made Sabalenka the fastest player to 25 hard-court wins in a season since Serena Williams in 2016.
Sabalenka next faces No. 16 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova, whom she leads 5-4 head-to-head.
