Rogers Cup: Serena, Osaka cruise as Halep survives scare

Serena Williams eased past Elise Mertens in Toronto

Toronto, August 8: Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka eased into the last 16 at the Rogers Cup, while Simona Halep survived a scare on Wednesday (August 7).

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