Sabalenka Eyes US Open Form: “As Many Matches as I Can” Ahead of Alexandrova Clash in Toronto
National Bank Open 2026 Day 7 Preview: Aryna Sabalenka vs. Ekaterina Alexandrova
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka continues her National Bank Open campaign in Toronto on Saturday, with Ekaterina Alexandrova standing between the top seed and another deep run on the North American hard courts.
But as Sabalenka moves through the draw in Toronto, there is a bigger target gradually coming into focus: the 2026 US Open in New York.
Following her third-round victory in Toronto, I asked Sabalenka how many matches she believes she needs to reach peak form ahead of the season’s final Grand Slam.
Her answer highlighted the balancing act facing one of the biggest stars in women’s tennis: accumulating enough competitive matches to find her best level while remaining fresh for two demanding weeks at Flushing Meadows.
Q. Curious, at this stage in your career, how many matches do you feel that you need to be in peak form as you head into the US Open?
ARYNA SABALENKA: “I don’t know. It’s always different. That’s the beauty of sport, because there is no guarantees. It’s like every time it’s a different, completely different story.
“How much matches do I need? As many as I can, probably.
“The other question is that I’m getting older, so probably I can play less, just so I’ll come to the US Open more fresh. So, I don’t know, it’s a good question.”
That makes Saturday’s encounter with Ekaterina Alexandrova another valuable test for Sabalenka as she fine-tunes her hard-court game for New York.
Sabalenka Building Toward the US Open
For Sabalenka, the Canadian swing is about considerably more than collecting ranking points.
The powerful Belarusian is using Toronto to sharpen the patterns that have made her one of the dominant hard-court players of her generation: an imposing first serve, explosive first-strike tennis, relentless baseline power and the ability to take time away from opponents.
Her comments also reveal how her approach to Grand Slam preparation continues to evolve.
Earlier in a player’s career, accumulating matches can be essential for developing rhythm and confidence. For an established champion such as Sabalenka, managing physical and mental freshness becomes increasingly important.
“As many as I can” may be Sabalenka’s instinctive answer, but her acknowledgement that she can potentially play fewer matches and still arrive in New York ready to contend illustrates the experience she now carries into the biggest tournaments.
Toronto therefore presents an ideal opportunity.
Every victory provides another high-level match, but the ultimate objective remains arriving at the US Open healthy, confident and capable of producing her best tennis when it matters most.
Sabalenka vs. Alexandrova: Power Meets Power in Toronto
Saturday’s matchup against Alexandrova should provide Sabalenka with exactly the kind of examination she needs.
Alexandrova possesses one of the more aggressive games on the WTA Tour. She can strike cleanly from both wings, redirect pace effectively and punish short balls when given opportunities to step inside the baseline.
That creates an intriguing battle between two players who are rarely interested in surrendering court position.
Sabalenka will want to dictate with her serve and forehand, forcing Alexandrova into defensive positions before the Russian can establish her own aggressive patterns.
Alexandrova, meanwhile, cannot afford to allow Sabalenka to settle into comfortable first-strike combinations. Returning aggressively and finding ways to neutralize Sabalenka’s opening shot will be crucial.
Expect short, explosive exchanges when both players are finding their range.
The Key for Sabalenka: Controlled Aggression
Sabalenka’s power has never been in question.
The difference between a good Sabalenka performance and a dominant one is often how effectively she controls that power.
Against Alexandrova, patience could be particularly important.
Both players are capable of producing winners from seemingly neutral positions, meaning the temptation to go for too much too early will always be present. Sabalenka will look to maintain her aggression without allowing Alexandrova to draw her into a low-percentage hitting contest.
First-serve percentage could also prove decisive.
When Sabalenka lands her first delivery consistently, she can immediately take control of rallies. If Alexandrova gets repeated looks at second serves, however, the dynamic can change quickly.
The opening few shots of each rally should therefore be among the most important tactical areas to watch.
Toronto Provides the Perfect US Open Preparation
The National Bank Open remains one of the most important stops on the road to the US Open.
The hard courts, elite field and pressure of facing top-level opposition provide players with an opportunity to assess exactly where their games stand before New York.
For Sabalenka, Saturday represents another piece of that preparation.
There is no exact formula for reaching peak form at a Grand Slam — something Sabalenka herself acknowledged following her third-round victory.
“That’s the beauty of sport, because there is no guarantees,” she said.
It’s a revealing observation from a player who has accumulated enough experience at the top of women’s tennis to understand that preparation isn’t simply about reaching a predetermined number of matches.
Sometimes rhythm comes immediately. Sometimes it requires a long tournament run.
And sometimes the smartest preparation is knowing when enough is enough.
Can Alexandrova Disrupt Sabalenka’s Toronto Run?
Alexandrova has the type of game capable of making this a dangerous matchup for the top seed.
Allow her to establish herself on the baseline and she can quickly turn defence into attack. Give her short balls and she has the firepower to finish points.
Sabalenka’s challenge will be preventing Alexandrova from becoming comfortable.
Look for the world No. 1 to attack early in rallies, target opportunities to move Alexandrova and use her serve to create immediate openings.
Alexandrova will need to absorb that initial pressure and find ways to make Sabalenka hit additional shots. If she can extend rallies while maintaining her own aggression, the match could develop into one of the highlights of Saturday’s National Bank Open schedule.
