Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka fell to a 6-1 6-4 defeat by Elena Rybakina within the quarter-finals of the Cincinnati Open.
The Kazakh dominated the opening set and racked up 11 aces towards the world primary earlier than sealing her victory in 74 minutes.
“I am proud of the serve. It was the important thing immediately,” Rybakina stated.
“I served very well. If she had been serving properly it could have been a completely completely different match. It was additionally intense from the baseline. I simply hope to proceed like this.”
Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon winner, will now face this 12 months’s All England Membership champion within the final 4 – as Iga Swiatek beat Anna Kalinskaya 6-3 6-4.
Poland’s Swiatek, ranked third on the planet, was at all times in cost towards the Russian, who appeared hampered by a calf downside and saved 4 match factors within the penultimate recreation.
Nevertheless, Swiatek prevailed to maneuver into to her fourth WTA 1,000-level semi-final of the season.
“I simply performed my recreation. It was not straightforward however I am completely satisfied that I stayed stable and stored my depth,” stated the Pole.
