In an early match at the National Bank Open, Elena Rybakina showed resilience against Naomi Osaka, securing a 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4 victory to advance to the semifinals. Despite initially trailing, Rybakina managed to break Osaka’s serve at a crucial point in the deciding set before clinching the win at Sobeys Stadium.
The match was rescheduled earlier due to Belinda Bencic’s withdrawal because of a hip injury, allowing Coco Gauff to progress to the semifinals without competing. The intense Rybakina-Osaka showdown lasted two hours and 33 minutes, with Rybakina expressing difficulty in adjusting to the late-day conditions.
Rybakina, known for her powerful serves, will face Gauff in the upcoming semifinals, expecting a challenging match against the resilient opponent. In another exciting matchup, Elina Svitolina of Ukraine will take on Iga Swiatek of Poland in the semifinals after both players secured wins in the previous matches.
The final of the $7.43 million US tournament is scheduled for Thursday, with the absence of the 12th-seeded Bencic, who expressed regret for not being able to compete due to her injury. Despite a tough battle, Rybakina managed to turn the match around, securing her third WTA 1000 semifinal appearance of the season.
In the men’s singles, defending champion Ben Shelton advanced to the semifinals after defeating Jakub Mensik, setting up a match against fellow American Learner Tien. Shelton, who has been in excellent form, emphasized the mental challenge of staying focused during matches. Additionally, Brandon Nakashima and Rafael Jodar secured their spots in the semifinals, adding to the representation of American and Spanish players in the upcoming matches.