Swiatek Advances to Cincinnati Semi-Finals as Rybakina Retires with Ankle Injury

Elena Rybakina was forced to withdraw from her quarter-final clash with Iga Swiatek at the Cincinnati Open after sustaining an ankle injury. The world No. 2 trailed 4-1 in the opening set when she called for a medical timeout to address her left ankle, ultimately retiring from the contest moments later.

The early exit carried significant ranking implications; with top seed Aryna Sabalenka having already fallen to Sara Bejlek, Rybakina stood to ascend to the world No. 1 position by reaching the final. Instead, defending champion Swiatek progresses to her fourth consecutive semi-final appearance at the WTA 1000 event.

“Not the way you want the match to end,” Swiatek said. “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 is going to be ready for the US Open.”

Having defeated Rybakina at the same stage last year, Swiatek will now face American Jessica Pegula in the last four. The world No. 3 rallied from a set down to overcome Amanda Anisimova 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(4) in a hard-fought quarter-final.

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In the men’s draw, seventh seed Flavio Cobolli recovered from a slow start to defeat American Tommy Paul 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, securing his maiden ATP Masters 1000 semi-final berth. The Italian will meet Arthur Fils for a place in the final after the Frenchman dispatched Argentina’s Thiago Agustin Tirante 6-3, 6-2.

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