Rybakina Sets Up Swiatek Semi After Beating World No.1 Sabalenka

Reigning champion Aryna Sabalenka saw her Cincinnati Open defence come to an end after a straight-sets loss to Elena Rybakina in the quarter-finals, Sport360NG reports.

Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon winner, overpowered the world number one 6-1 6-4, firing 11 aces and sealing victory in just 74 minutes.

“The serve made the difference today,” said the Kazakh. “I was really consistent with it, and that helped me a lot. If Aryna had been serving at her best it could have been a very different match. It was also a tough battle from the baseline, but I’m glad I managed to keep my level.”

Her reward is a semi-final clash with Iga Swiatek, this year’s Wimbledon champion, who booked her place by defeating Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya 6-3 6-4.

Swiatek, ranked third in the world, controlled the contest throughout, though Kalinskaya, restricted by a calf issue, saved four match points before the Pole closed it out.

“It wasn’t an easy match, but I stuck to my plan and kept up the intensity,” Swiatek said after reaching her fourth WTA 1000 semi-final of the year.