Jean-Guy Fugère
On Wednesday night at IGA Stadium, two-time National Bank Open champion Simona Halep watched her winning streak in Montréal come to an end.
At the outcome of a tough battle against 27-year-old Danielle Collins of the US, she surrendered at 2-6, 6-4, 6-4. Lasting nearly three hours, the contest was both exciting and inconsistent.
Halep and Collins were each broken seven times, but the American got the upper hand. It must be said that Collins has been unbeatable of late. She triumphed in Palermo and San Jose and has now chalked up her 12th consecutive win. Currently World No.28, she will move up in the rankings after the WTA 1000 in Montréal.
Halep wasn’t the only seed to fall this evening: Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (10) of Russia lost to Jessica Pegula (1-6, 6-3, 6-2), who now faces Danielle Collins in the round of 16.
Coco Gauff, the third American in action today, did away with Anastasia Potapova of Russia, who had to withdraw.
Svitolina out
Late this afternoon, Johanna Konta of Great Britain came back from the brink and eliminated no.3 seed Elina Svitolina of Ukraine (3-6, 6-3, 6-2).
In doing so, Konta added her name to the compelling list of players who have defied the odds.
Karolina Pliskova (4) of Czechia was almost sent packing but managed to play her way out of trouble to defeat the combative Donna Vekic of Croatia in two sets (4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (2)).
Camila Giorgi of Italy overwhelmed Nadia Podoroska of Argentina (6-2, 6-4) to take her place in the round of 16.
Jabeur
In her match against Daria Kasatkina of Russia, Ons Jabeur (13) of Tunisia fell behind early on but battled back to earn the privilege of going head-to-head with Bianca Andreescu in the round of 16.
