Overview
- Rybakina defeated defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-1, 6-4 in Friday’s quarterfinal to reach her first Cincinnati Open semifinal.
- She fired 11 aces and won 81% of first-serve points, crediting her serve and the reinstatement of coach Stefano Vukov as decisive factors.
- Third seed Iga Swiatek beat Anna Kalinskaya 6-3, 6-4 to set up a semifinal clash with Rybakina on Saturday.
- Jasmine Paolini continued her surge by downing Barbora Krejcikova 6-1, 6-2 and will face Coco Gauff in the quarterfinals.
- Anna Kalinskaya’s public criticism of the early scheduling following a late-night match has drawn fresh scrutiny to player rest and recovery.