Liudmila Samsonova of Russia and Belinda Bencic of Switzerland will meet in the National Bank Open quarterfinals Friday evening after both players won their round of 16 matches.
Samsonova upset second-seeded Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus 7-6 (2), 4-6, 6-3 to advance to the National Bank Open quarterfinals on Friday.
Samsonova, the tournament's 15th seed, went up a break late in the third set to serve for the match. Sabalenka had a chance to break back in the final game, but Samsonova fended it off before hitting a cheeky drop shot on match point. "It was a really tough match, she played unbelievable tennis," said Sabalenka. "Unfortunately, physically I wasn't ready to play at my highest level today, but I'm still happy with the level I showed.
More likely the fighting spirit than the level." Bencic beat seventh seed Petra Kvitova of Czechia 6-7 (3), 6-3, 6-1. After Bencic rolled her ankle early in the third set, Kvitova displayed some true sportsmanship by helping Bencic to her bench and holding her ice bag.