Elina Svitolina and Simona Halep progress in Montreal as big names crash out

Defending champion Elina Svitolina kept her Rogers Cup title defence alive by British number one Johanna Konta on a day that five former grand slam champions were dumped from the competition.
The number five seed made short work of her third-round clash with Konta in Montreal, scoring a 6-3 6-4 victory after just 85 minutes on court.
The Ukrainian WTA Tour star rallied from a break down in the second set to win the last four games on the bounce and seal her fourth straight win against the British player, who was playing her second match of the day due to a rain delay on day three.
Svitolina will now face Elise Mertens in the final eight, after the Belgian beat Aryna Sabalenka 2-6 7-6 6-0.
Like Konta, Sabalenka faced a double-header on Thursday, and was responsible for the fall of another grand slam champion – Caroline Wozniacki.
The unseeded Belarusian saved three match points to beat Wozniacki 5-7 6-2 7-6 – but found the number 14 seed too much as she launched a decisive surge to clinch a second-set tiebreak and go on to win.
World number one Simona Halep fared better with her double-header, though, winning both her matches on Thursday and booking her place in the quarter-finals.
Andy Murray fitness update: Will former world number one make it to Cincinnati?https://t.co/j34nNofsep pic.twitter.com/Mk9AI5ZjwU
— Tennis365 (@T365Official) August 9, 2018
Her next opponent will be number six seed Caroline Garcia, who overcame Maria Sharapova 6-3 6-2.
Meanwhile, number eight seed and former Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova also crashed out of the competition, as Kiki Bertens took a straightforward 6-3 6-2 win.
She will now face Australia’s Ashleigh Barty, who toppled France’s Alize Cornet 7-6 6-4.
Elsewhere, reigning US Open champion Sloane Stephens defeated Carla Suarez Navarro 6-2 7-5 to set up a quarter-final encounter with Anastasija Sevastova.
The Latvian beat number 10 seed Julia Goerges 6-3 7-6.
Latest
-
Australian Open
Novak Djokovic vs Stefanos Tsitsipas labelled a dream final
It is almost time to settle the new World No 1.
-
Australian Open
Inside story on the technology propelling Stefanos Tsitsipas to the top
Adidas have taken its tennis offering to a new level with the release of their Adizero Cybersonic tennis shoe.
-
News
Australian Open day 12 wrap: Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas set popcorn final
Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid won their fourth successive Australian Open title in men’s wheelchair doubles.
-
Australian Open
Elena Rybakina made Australian Open favourite despite poor record against Aryna Sabalenka
Elena Rybakina’s experience of winning a Grand Slam gives her the edge.
-
Australian Open
2023 Australian Open men’s final info, form, H2H, what they said, preview: Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Novak Djokovic
Get all the info ahead of the Australian Open men’s final.
-
Australian Open
WATCH: Emotional Novak Djokovic makes his point at press conference
Novak Djokovic admitted he has been shaken by the storm around his father after pro-Russian flag photo.
-
Australian Open
Novak Djokovic hopes to draw a line under Russian flag controversy
Novak Djokovic has released a statement clarifying the family position.
-
Australian Open
Aryna Sabalenka in control of her own Australian Open destiny: ‘I’m my psychologist’
Aryna Sabalenka will take on Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the final.
-
Australian Open
Novak Djokovic stays in hunt for La Decima at Australian Open despite meltdown, tantrum, unforced errors galore
Novak Djokovic one Australian Open win away from La Decima.
-
News
Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid do it again as they win fourth Australian Open title in a row
The pair were dominant in victory over Dutch duo Maikel Scheffers and Ruben Spaargaren.