Elena Rybakina put on a strong performance to beat defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-1, 6-4 on Friday and reach her first-ever semi-final at the Cincinnati Open.
The ninth seed from Kazakhstan was in top form, hitting 11 aces and winning 81% of points on her first serve. She didn’t allow Sabalenka a single break, saving all five break points. It was Rybakina’s fifth win in 12 matches against the Belarusian and her seventh overall victory against a top-ranked player.
Speaking after the match, Rybakina said:
“I’m happy with my serve. It was the key today. We’re both big hitters, but I served really well. If Aryna serves well, it’s a different match. Hopefully I can keep playing like this.”
Rybakina will now face Poland’s Iga Swiatek in the semi-final — a battle between two former Wimbledon champions.
Earlier in the day, Swiatek beat Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya 6-3, 6-4 to reach her first WTA 1000 semi-final in 15 months. Kalinskaya fought hard, saving four match points, but Swiatek finished the job on her fifth opportunity.
“I just played my game,” Swiatek said. “It wasn’t easy, but I’m happy I stayed solid and kept up the pressure.”
The semi-final between Rybakina and Swiatek promises to be a high-quality match between two of the top players on tour.
