Elena Rybakina shocked defending champion Aryna Sabalenka on the Cincinnati Open to arrange a semi-final assembly with Iga Swiatek.
Enjoying in her first match since shedding within the Wimbledon semi-finals in July, the world No 1 was crushed 6-1 6-4 by Rybakina in little greater than an hour on Friday.
The Kazakh will face Wimbledon champion Swiatek within the semi-finals on Sunday after the third seed eased to a 6-3 6-4 win over Anna Kalinskaya earlier on Friday.
Rybakina continued to provide the sturdy type that noticed her attain the semi-finals in Montreal final week earlier than she was crushed by shock winner Victoria Mboko.
The 2022 Wimbledon champion struck 11 aces as she prevented being damaged on serve, with Sabalenka failing to take any of her 5 break factors – one among which got here within the first sport of the match.
After breaking twice to ease to the primary set, Rybakina broke early within the second set for a 2-1 lead, earlier than seeing off two break factors in her penultimate service sport to remain forward.
She finally completed the job with ease, holding to like to see out a win that ensures she’ll transfer up no less than one place from her present place of No 10 on the planet rankings.
Highlights of Iga Swiatek towards Anna Kalinskaya from the Cincinnati Open.
Poland’s Swiatek secured a decisive break to maneuver 3-1 forward within the first set towards twenty eighth seed Kalinskaya, earlier than saving a break level herself as she closed out the opener.
The pair exchanged breaks early within the second set, earlier than Swiatek struck once more to go 4-3 in entrance. Kalinskaya confirmed resilience to outlive 4 match factors in a exceptional penultimate sport of the match, however Swiatek stored her composure to take the following alternative moments later.
A win for Swiatek on Sunday would put the previous world No 1 by way of to her first WTA 1000 ultimate in 15 months and seal her place on the season-ending WTA Finals for a fifth straight 12 months.
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