Elena Rybakina was compelled to withdraw from her quarter‑final clash with Iga Swiatek at the Cincinnati Open after sustaining an ankle problem. The world No.
2 was trailing 4‑1 when she called for a medical timeout, allowing the on‑court physiotherapists to tend to her left ankle. Moments after the treatment, Rybakina signaled that she could not continue and officially retired from the match.
The injury not only ended her tournament run but also had ranking implications. With top seed Aryna Sabalenka already eliminated by Sara Bejlek, Rybakina had a realistic chance of moving up to the No.
1 spot in the WTA rankings if she had progressed to the final. Her premature exit therefore closed that window for now. Swiatek, the defending champion, has demonstrated remarkable consistency in Cincinnati, reaching at least the semifinals in each of her last four appearances at the event.
After the match was halted, she commented on the situation, saying, "It’s not the way you want a match to finish. She didn’t look good, obviously. Then she wanted treatment and I wasn’t sure if she was going to be back or not.
She is walking normally now. I felt really sorry for her but hopefully it’s nothing serious and she will be ready for the US Open." Last year, Swiatek defeated Rybakina in the Cincinnati semifinals, but this time she will meet American world No. 3 Jessica Pegula in the last four. Pegula earned her place in the semifinals by rallying back from a set down against Amanda Anisimova, eventually prevailing 6‑4, 2‑6, 7‑6(4).
The match showcased Pegula’s resilience and mental toughness, qualities that will be tested against Swiatek’s relentless baseline play. On the men’s side of the draw, seventh‑seeded Flavio Cobolli turned a shaky start into a comeback victory over American Tommy Paul, winning 2‑6, 6‑3, 6‑4 to secure his first ATP Masters 1000 semifinal appearance. Cobolli will now face fellow Frenchman Arthur Fils, who advanced after a straight‑sets win over Argentina’s Thiago Agustín Tirante, 6‑3, 6‑2. Their semifinal promises to be a showcase of emerging talent battling for a coveted spot in the final.
The Cincinnati Open, part of the US Open Series, often serves as a crucial preparation ground for players heading into the final Grand Slam of the season. Performances here can be a bellwether for form and fitness ahead of the hard‑court showdown at Flushing Meadows, which begins on August 30 and will also be broadcast live on Sky Sports. For fans looking to follow the action, live scores, upcoming match schedules, and streaming options are widely available.
Sky Sports provides comprehensive coverage of both the ATP and WTA tours, while the NOW platform offers a contract‑free streaming alternative for viewers who prefer online access. It is recommended to use a Chrome browser for the best video player experience. In summary, Swiatek’s path to the Cincinnati final now hinges on a showdown with Pegula, a player who has already proven her ability to fight back under pressure.
Meanwhile, the men’s semifinals feature a compelling narrative of a rising Italian star, Cobolli, taking on the talented Frenchman Fils. Both matches will not only determine the champions of this prestigious Masters 1000 event but also set the tone for the upcoming US Open, where the world’s elite will vie for one of tennis’s most coveted titles.