Toronto's hard courts delivered a jolt on Friday as the WTA draw lost a Grand Slam champion while another powered forward. Elena Rybakina, the reigning Australian Open winner, continued her relentless march, but the day's biggest shock came from Canada's Leylah Fernandez, who dismantled French Open champion Mirra Andreeva in straight sets. Meanwhile, the men's event in Montreal saw American Ben Shelton seize control of a depleted field, setting up a week of high-stakes tennis. Main Developments Rybakina, ranked second in the world, needed just 90 minutes to dispatch American Ann Li 6-2, 7-5. The Kazakhstani star converted five of six break chances while saving two of four against her, showcasing the form that has made her a perennial contender. This victory sets up a last-16 clash with Russia's Liudmila Samsonova, who outlasted Australia's Maya Joint 7-5, 6-7(3/7), 6-2 in a grueling three-setter. Samsonova holds a 4-2 career edge over Rybakina, but Rybakina has won their last two WTA meetings, including last year's Strasbourg final. That recent history gives Rybakina a psychological edge, though Samsonova's resilience in Toronto suggests she will not yield easily. Read also: Infantino denies affair, favouritism claims from UEFA years Fernandez, the 30th seed, produced a masterclass against Andreeva, winning 6-1, 6-4 in 80 minutes. The Canadian left-hander won 24 of 27 points on her first serve and captured 17 of 23 points on Andreeva's second serves, neutralizing the teenager's power. Andreeva, ranked fifth, committed 34 unforced errors against just 17 winners, a statistic that underscored her frustration. “The key for me was to stay positive, stay strong, and to keep being patient,” Fernandez said. “She wasn't going to give away some easy balls.” This win snapped a seven-match losing streak against top-10 opponents and marked her first victory over a player ranked so high since she downed fourth-rated Jessica Pegula en route to last year's WTA Washington title. Fernandez's reward is a fourth-round meeting with Naomi Osaka, the 11th seed from Japan, who breezed past Belgium's Elise Mertens 6-1, 6-2 in 71 minutes. Osaka fired seven aces and converted four of eight break points while denying Mertens on all three break chances. The pair has split two career meetings, with Fernandez winning at the 2021 US Open on her way to a runner-up finish and Osaka triumphing last year in Wuhan. Elsewhere, US fourth seed Coco Gauff, a two-time Grand Slam winner, advanced by defeating Greece's Maria Sakkari 6-1, 6-4 in 76 minutes. Gauff cruised to a 5-1 lead in the second set before Sakkari rallied, but the American held on, winning five of the last six points and closing the match with a backhand volley winner and a service winner. She will next face 19-year-old Russian Alina Korneeva, who ousted US 13th seed Iva Jovic 6-3, 6-4, winning seven of eight break points. Philippines' Alexandra Eala, who won her first WTA title Monday in Washington, reached the fourth round with a 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 victory over American Caty McNally. Eala, 21, had her right ankle taped by a trainer leading 3-2 in the second set, was broken at love in the sixth game, and pushed to a deciding set before prevailing after two hours and 39 minutes. She will face Swiss 12th seed Belinda Bencic, who outlasted American Taylor Townsend 6-7(5/7), 7-6(7/4), 6-4 in a marathon lasting three hours and 24 minutes. Background The Toronto Masters, a key hard-court tune-up for the US Open, has historically been a stage for both established champions and rising stars. Rybakina, who also won the 2022 Wimbledon title, is seeking her second title of the season after her Australian Open triumph. Andreeva, only 19, came into the tournament as the fifth-ranked player and a French Open champion, but her early exit highlights the volatility of youth on the WTA tour. Fernandez's victory is a significant milestone for the Canadian, who has struggled against top-10 opponents since her breakout run at the 2021 US Open. Her win over Andreeva marks her first such victory since defeating Pegula in Washington last year, a result that suggests she is rediscovering the form that made her a finalist in New York. In Montreal, the men's draw has been severely depleted, with top seed Alexander Zverev eliminated in the second round by Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor. This has opened the door for Shelton, the fifth seed and highest-ranked man remaining, who is aiming for a second straight title in Canada. Shelton's path has been eased by the absence of several top players, but he still must navigate a field that includes Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca, who upset ninth seed Casper Ruud. Why It Matters These results reshape the tournament's landscape, with several top seeds now out of contention. Andreeva's early exit removes a major threat from Rybakina's half of the draw, potentially paving the way for a deep run for the Kazakhstani. For Fernandez, the win is a confidence booster that could propel