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By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, August 15, 2025Photo credit score: Cincinnati Open Fb
The ball burst like a battering ram staggering Aryna Sabalenka backward.
Elena Rybakina rocked the world No. 1 with heavy drives and rolled Sabalenka proper out of the draw 6-1, 6-4 to cost into her first Cincinnati Open semifinal.
Rybakina ripped 11 aces towards one double faulted and denied all 5 break factors she confronted, defeating Sabalenka for the fifth time in 12 conferences.
This rematch of the 2023 Australian Open last, which Sabalenka received in three units, was probably the most lopsided consequence between the premier energy gamers since Rybakina blasted the Belarusian 6-0, 6-3 within the 2024 Brisbane last.
That was a Rybakina MASTERCLASS 🤩
Elena Rybakina knocks out defending champion Sabalenka 6-1, 6-4.#CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/J03v3ncKUR
— wta (@WTA) August 15, 2025
Disarming the US Open champion with depth and jolting energy, Rybakina scored her second straight High 10 and made an announcement of intent forward of this month’s US Open. Rybakina improved to 7-5 lifetime vs. world No. 1 gamers scoring her first win over a No. 1 since beating Sabalenka on the 2024 WTA Finals.
The ninth-seeded Rybakina will face former No. 1 Iga Swiatek for a spot within the last.
The 24-year-old Swiatek transformed her fifth match level finishing a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Anna Kalinskaya to turn into the youngest lady in Open Period historical past to advance to 3 consecutive Cincinnati semifinals.
4 – Elena Rybakina has equalled Petra Kvitova and Aryna Sabalenka (4) for probably the most wins towards the World No.1 in WTA-1000 because the format introduction in 2009. Stellar. #CincyTennis | @CincyTennis @WTA @WTA_insider pic.twitter.com/LcqYTuSjCS
— OptaAce (@OptaAce) August 15, 2025
Whipping the vast serve to displace Sabalenka, Rybakina received 29 of 36 first-serve factors immediately. Rybakina managed the crosscourt forehand exchanges and blistered backhands to maintain the highest seed on the defensive for many of her service video games.
A centered Rybakina saved a break level within the opening sport and was practically untouchable on serve for the remainder of the set.
After Sablenka held to stage, Rybakina shifted into the next gear. She stormed by way of 5 video games in a row, belting 4 aces towards no double faults and generally freezing Sabalenka with backhand drives down the road.
4 video games into the match, Rybakina torched her two-hander down the road for break level and broke on a Sabalenka backhand error for 3-1.
The WTA ace chief whipped the vast ace that helped her stamp a love maintain for a 4-1 lead after a mere 20 minutes of play.
Enjoying with calm command, Rybakina was 9 of 9 on first-serve factors and saved the lone break level she confronted in an assertive 28-minute opening set.
The previous Wimbledon winner reeled off 16 of the final 18 factors constructing a one-set lead as each girls left the courtroom earlier than the beginning of the second set.
Rybakina repelled two break factors then slashed successive aces holding to stage the second set, 1-all.
That agency stand sparked the following break. Rybakina drew an error for double break level then blasted her backhand down the road to interrupt for 2-1.
The highest seed threatened serve towards within the eighth sport incomes a few break factors. Rybakina erased each break factors with aces—her tenth and eleventh aces of the quarterfinals—then held for 5-3 when Sabalenka, with a very good have a look at open courtroom, missed a excessive forehand.
Serving for the match, Rybakina drew 4 errors in a row slamming shut a formidable 75-minute triumph together with her fourth love maintain of the day.
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