In Tokyo, Japan, tennis player Kamilla Rakhimova secured a dramatic second-round victory over Ekaterina Alexandrova at the WTA tournament, advancing to the quarterfinals with a score of 6:4, 4:6, 7:6 (5). As UA.News reported, citing Interia Sport, the match tested both competitors across a tense three-set battle on October 28, 2026, featuring pivotal shifts in momentum and a tense final-set tiebreak.
Rakhimova, ranked 66th in the WTA rankings and representing Uzbekistan, entered the main draw under unusual circumstances. Having fallen to Aliaksandra Sasnovich in the qualifying final—despite an earlier win against Shiho Tsujiioka—she remained in Tokyo as an alternate. She received a direct path into the main draw following the withdrawal of Swiss player Belinda Bencic, who had been seeded and slated to begin her campaign directly in the second round. This stroke of fortune placed Rakhimova straight into the round of 16 without playing a first-round match, setting the stage for an unexpected deep run at the venue.
Tactical Breakdown of the Three-Set Battle
The contest immediately showcased high-intensity baseline exchanges from the very first game. In the opening set, UA.News noted that Rakhimova capitalised on crucial rallies, maintaining steady depth and punishing unforced errors to take the set 6:4. Alexandrova, known for her aggressive first-strike tennis and powerful groundstrokes, struggled to find her rhythm early on against the persistent defensive resilience displayed by her opponent across extended baseline rallies.
However, Alexandrova adjusted her court positioning in the second set, stepping closer to the baseline to cut off Rakhimova’s depth and dictate the tempo. This tactical shift paid dividends as she claimed a vital late break to level the match at one set apiece, forcing a deciding third set that would thoroughly test the physical and mental stamina of both athletes under tournament pressure.
The deciding third set intensified further, culminating in a dramatic and nerve-wracking tiebreak. Rakhimova established an early advantage and earned a match point at 5:4, but Alexandrova fought back with characteristic grit to level the score briefly. Holding her nerve through the mounting pressure of the extended rallies, Rakhimova eventually closed out the tiebreak 7:6 (5) to seal her place in the next round after hours of protracted play.
Quarterfinal Prospects and Tournament Context
With her place in the quarterfinals secured, Rakhimova now awaits the outcome of the match between Cristina Bucsa and Maya Joint to determine her next opponent in the tournament. The progression through the Tokyo draw offers significant ranking points and crucial momentum for the lucky loser, who has capitalised thoroughly on her unexpected main-draw reprieve and converted her alternate status into a notable performance on the tour.
Further down the bracket, the winner of Rakhimova’s upcoming quarterfinal clash could potentially face Elena Rybakina in the semifinals. The Kazakh contender enters the tournament from the second round, scheduled to face Yulia Putintseva in her opening encounter. As the tournament progresses toward its concluding stages, every match carries heightened stakes for players vying for late-season ranking consolidation and finishing the calendar year on a strong competitive note.
The physical toll of navigating a three-hour battle will undoubtedly require careful recovery for Rakhimova as she prepares for the next phase of the competition. Having already navigated the psychological hurdles of losing in qualifying, staying ready as an alternate, and converting a second-round match point after an earlier miss, her campaign serves as a vivid reminder of the fine margins that define professional tennis at the elite WTA level.