Sabalenka Upset by Rybakina in Cincinnati Quarters
So, here's the latest from the Cincinnati Open, and it’s a match that really caught everyone’s attention. Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, the world number one, was surprisingly beaten by Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals. The match ended in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4, with Rybakina completely dominating the first set. In fact, 11 aces were served by Rybakina, which really set the tone and gave her a strong edge throughout the 74-minute clash.
Sabalenka had been coming off a win against Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, a match she wrapped up in straight sets herself, but today, things didn’t click. The Kazakh, Rybakina, was in full control, her serve was on point, and she said afterward that it was the key to her victory. She mentioned that if Sabalenka had served as effectively, the match could have turned out very differently. Baseline rallies were intense, and Rybakina’s composure and precision really shone through, especially in those critical moments.
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This win means that Rybakina, who lifted the Wimbledon trophy back in 2022, is moving on to the semifinals. There, she’s set to face the reigning Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek, who also had a solid win in her quarterfinal match against Anna Kalinskaya. Swiatek, ranked third in the world, had some moments of tension as Kalinskaya was clearly hampered by a calf issue and even saved four match points late in the match, but Swiatek stayed consistent and ultimately advanced in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4. Swiatek herself said that staying solid and keeping intensity was crucial for her performance.
The Cincinnati Open this year has been bigger than ever. The tournament has been expanded to include 96 players over two weeks, so the road to the quarterfinals was never easy. Big names like Coco Gauff, Carlos Alcaraz, Andrey Rublev, Alexander Zverev, and Emma Raducanu were all part of the competition, making the draw incredibly competitive. Fans have been tuning in through the Tennis Channel, streaming services like Plex, DirecTV, and Amazon Prime, and the atmosphere has been electric from day one.
For Sabalenka, this loss marks a tough end to her Cincinnati defense, but it also sets up an exciting semifinal clash between Rybakina and Swiatek. Both players have been serving exceptionally well and showing great resilience, so the match is highly anticipated. This quarterfinal defeat will certainly be one for Sabalenka to reflect on, especially given how dominant she’s been earlier in the season, including a semi-final appearance at Wimbledon just a month ago.
So, while the defending champion’s journey in Cincinnati ends here, fans are left with a thrilling storyline to watch unfold as Rybakina and Swiatek battle it out in the semis for a chance to reach the final. It’s a reminder that in tennis, anything can happen, and every match counts.
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