Swiatek and Alexandrova win third-round matches at National Bank Open

TORONTO — Sixth-seeded Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia defeated Australia’s Talia Gibson 5-7, 6-1, 6-3 on Thursday to reach the fourth round of the National Bank Open women’s tennis tournament.

Alexandrova was joined in the Round of 16 by seventh-seeded Iga Swiatek of Poland, who beat Viktorija Golubic of Switzerland 6-2, 6-1 at Sobeys Stadium.

Alexandrova and Ottawa’s Gabriela Dabrowski teamed up later in the day in a first-round doubles match against Americans Coco Gauff and Caty McNally. Heavy rain delayed play with Dabrowski serving at 3-3 in the first set.

Dabrowski’s usual partner, Luisa Stefani of Brazil, skipped the WTA 1000 hardcourt event to rest an elbow injury.