Uprising: Rybakina Rallies Past Samsonova Into Toronto Quarterfinals

By Richard Pagliaro | Sunday, August 9, 2026
Photo credit: National Bank Open Facebook

Down a double break in the decisive set, Elena Rybakina set down her Yonex racquet and did some self-coaching to spark an uprising.

Then the Australian Open champion charged through six of the next seven games to hit her way into the Toronto quarterfinals.

Rallying from 0-3 down, a resilient Rybakina beat back nemesis Liudmila Samsonova 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 today.l.

It’s the fifth WTA 1000 quarterfinal of the season for Rybakina, who was runner-up to No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in Indian Wells last March.

“I told myself I needed to fight for each ball,” Rybakina told Tennis Channel’s Christopher Eubanks and Mark Knowles. “I’m happy it turned around my way.

“It’s always tough matches for me against Liuda. She was trying to change the serve. Sometimes it was really fast, sometimes it was kick.

“We both didn’t start well the match but somehow it got very close. I managed to win the first set…

“I just knew I needed to fight no matter what. I’m glad I have another opportunity to play here.”

Less than 16 hours after Ekaterina Alexandrova toppled the top-seeded Sabalenka, Rybakina won six points in a row to close a hard-hitting—and patchy—three-set duel with Samsonova. 

The second-ranked Rybakina now trails Sabalenka by 789 points in the WTA live rankings as she plays for her second straight Canadian Open semifinal. Rybakina will face either four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka or home hero and 30th-seeded Leylah Fernandez for a final four spot.

The 55th-ranked Samsonova took the court with a 4-2 career edge over Rybakina, including 2021 and 2023 victories at the Canadian Open.

A gifted and explosive player, Samsonova out-hit the powerful Rybakina for stretches today, particularly in forehand-to-forehand rallies, but struggled to control the ball after building that 3-0 lead. Samsonova’s forehand failed her down the stretch, while Rybakina ripped drives with more conviction at crunch time.

When she’s on, Samsonova has the power to blitz anyone, including Sabalenka and Rybakina, but when things got tight today, Samsonova splattered far too many forehands into net.

WTA ace leader Rybakina pumped 11 aces—she has hit a Tour-best 317 aces this season—and prevailed despite a lowly 47 percent first-serve percentage.

It was a sloppy start as the pair took turns playing off the front foot.

Exploiting three Rybakina double faults, Samsonova stepped in and belted a backhand strike crosscourt breaking for 3-2.

Though Samsonova opened a 4-3, 40-15 lead, she struggled to close serve games.

Imposing her advantage in the backhand-to-backhand exchanges, Rybakina drew a netted backhand converting her third break point to break back and level after eight games.

In the 10th game, Samsonova led 40-Love, but began missing her spots on serve. Rybakina rifled a forehand return winner down the line for a break and set point.

Angling a sharp forehand return, Rybakina ripped an inside-out forehand breaking again to seal the opening set on the strength of her fourth break. Despite serving just 37 percent in the first set, Rybakina hit timely strikes for a one-set lead. 

The pair combined for seven breaks in the first set. Samsonova settled in and saved a couple of break points to level the second set, 2-all.

Explosive power is a shared asset. Samsonova showed it ripping a backhand strike down the line then rocketing a crosscourt forehand winner. On her third break point, Samsonova broke for 3-2 on a Rybakina double fault.

Finding her serve, Samsonova slammed down a love hold for 5-3. On her second set point, Samsonova drew an errant backhand to take the second set and force a decider after one hour, 51 minutes of play.

It marked the fifth time in seven meetings, the pair would go the distance.

A surging Samsonova surged out to a 3-0 lead and seemed to be in control.

Rybakina had other ideas. 

The two-time Grand Slam champion began dialing in her drives—and connecting on more first serves. Rybakina ripped through four games in a row edging ahead 4-3.

Fraying forehands ultimately decided the match. Rybakina missed a wild forehand to fall to 30-all, but Samsonova netted a forehand on the next point. Then the Kazakh cracked her 11th ace holding for 5-4.

A spirited battle sputtered as Samsonova hit herself into a triple-match point hole. Samsonova slapped a final forehand into net as Rybakina reeled off six straight points to close in two hours, 49 minutes.

The Australian Open champion Rybakina raised her 2026 record to 37-11 as she plays for her third WTA 1000 championship, and first since 2023 Rome.