Swiatek and Alexandrova win third-round matches at National Bank Open

Sixth-seeded Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia defeated Australia's Talia Gibson 5-7, 6-1, 6-3 on Thursday to reach the fourth round of the National Bank Open women's tennis tournament.

Alexandrova was joined in the Round of 16 by seventh-seeded Iga Swiatek of Poland, who beat Viktorija Golubic of Switzerland 6-2, 6-1 at Sobeys Stadium.

Alexandrova and Ottawa's Gabriela Dabrowski teamed up later in the day in a first-round doubles match against Americans Coco Gauff and Caty McNally. Heavy rain delayed play with Dabrowski serving at 3-3 in the first set.

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Dabrowski's usual partner, Luisa Stefani of Brazil, skipped the WTA 1000 hardcourt event to rest an elbow injury.

Leylah Fernandez and Bianca Fernandez, both from Laval, Que., were scheduled to play Belgium's Elise Mertens and Diana Shnaider of Russia in a late-afternoon match.

Play continues through Aug. 13 at the US$7.43-million tournament.