Elena Rybakina surprised defending champion Aryna Sabalenka on the Cincinnati Open to arrange a semi-final assembly with Iga Swiatek.
Taking part in in her first event since dropping within the Wimbledon semi-finals in July, the world No 1 was overwhelmed 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 supply the robust type that noticed her attain the semi-finals in Montreal final week earlier than she was overwhelmed by shock winner Victoria Mboko.
The 2022 Wimbledon champion struck 11 aces as she averted being damaged on serve, with Sabalenka failing to take any of her 5 break factors – one in all which got here within the first recreation 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 recreation to remain forward.
She in the end completed the job with ease, holding to like to see out a win that ensures she’ll transfer up at the least one place from her present place of No 10 on the planet rankings.
Poland’s Swiatek secured a decisive break to maneuver 3-1 forward within the first set in opposition to 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 outstanding penultimate recreation of the match, however Swiatek saved her composure to take the following alternative moments later.
A win for Swiatek on Sunday would put the previous world No 1 via to her first WTA 1000 last in 15 months and seal her place on the season-ending WTA Finals for a fifth straight 12 months.
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