Serena, Osaka cruise as Halep survives scare
Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka cruised as the seeds dominated at the Rogers Cup.
Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka eased into the last 16 at the Rogers Cup, while Simona Halep survived a scare on Wednesday.
Williams, a three-time champion at the WTA Premier event, was in good form in her first appearance since Wimbledon, beating Elise Mertens in the second round.
Osaka moved a step closer to reclaiming the number one ranking, while Halep edged through.
SUPER SERENA, OSAKA CLOSE TO TOP
Williams, the eighth seed, came from a break down in each set to get past Mertens 6-3 6-3.
The American 23-time grand slam champion was in decent form against Mertens, who troubled Williams at different times.
.@serenawilliams moves into the third round at the @rogerscup!
She downs Mertens, 6-3, 6-3 pic.twitter.com/v5Ncr6zW3J
— WTA (@WTA) August 8, 2019
Meanwhile, Ashleigh Barty will lose the top ranking after Osaka booked her spot in the third round.
Osaka took the first set over Tatjana Maria 6-2 before the German qualifier retired.
It means the Japanese star or Karolina Pliskova will replace Barty, who lost on Tuesday, atop the world rankings.
.@Naomi_Osaka_ takes the opener, 6-2!
#RC19#大坂なおみ pic.twitter.com/DVfOOKMgv9— WTA (@WTA) August 7, 2019
HALEP SURVIVES SCARE
Halep, the defending champion, moved through but only just, edging Jennifer Brady.
The Romanian fourth seed and Wimbledon champion overcame the qualifier 4-6 7-5 7-6 (7-5) after almost two and a half hours.
After a tiebreak thriller, @Simona_Halep takes it 4-6, 7-5, 7-6(5) over Brady #RC19 pic.twitter.com/7twCQ6JcTK
— WTA (@WTA) August 7, 2019
It was a good day for the seeds – Pliskova and Elina Svitolina advancing with the likes of Belinda Bencic and Anett Kontaveit.
Pliskova’s bid to return to the top of the rankings is alive after a 6-4 6-7 (4-7) 6-2 victory over qualifier Alison Riske.
Svitolina, meanwhile, battled past Katerina Siniakova 6-3 3-6 6-3.
WOE FOR WOZNIACKI
The only seed to depart was Wozniacki, who fell to 18-year-old qualifier Iga Swiatek 1-6 6-3 6-4.
Wozniacki, the 2010 champion and 2017 runner-up, led 3-0 in the final set before losing six of the final seven games to the Polish teenager.
.@iga_swiatek rallies to stun Wozniacki at the @rogerscup!
She wins a 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 battle over the former World No. 1 pic.twitter.com/f2uQmoX1Dw
— WTA (@WTA) August 8, 2019
