Iga Swiatek Advances to Cincinnati Semifinals After Elena Rybakina Retires Due to Injury

Iga Swiatek advanced to the semifinals of the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Masters after Elena Rybakina was forced to retire with a heel injury less than half an hour into their clash on Thursday.

Rybakina’s withdrawal raised concerns over the fitness of the world number two Kazakh just 10 days before the start of the US Open. Trailing 4-1 in the opening set of Thursday’s Cincinnati quarterfinal, Rybakina suddenly pulled up short at 40-all, heading to her bench and consulting with the trainer before ultimately quitting the match.

"I was feeling anxious watching the whole situation," said her opponent Iga Swiatek. "I hope she will be fine. Health is always the priority. This is an important tournament, but the US Open is the US Open. I hope she is ready for that."

Had two-time Grand Slam winner Elena Rybakina reached the Cincinnati final, she would have risen to number one in the world for the first time in her career, following incumbent Aryna Sabalenka’s shock exit to 20-year-old Sara Bejlek.

Defending Cincinnati champion Iga Swiatek stated she had gained a lot of confidence in recent weeks, which included her victory over Elena Rybakina in the final of the Toronto event. Poland’s Iga Swiatek now plays a semifinal against Jessica Pegula, who advanced after defeating Amanda Anisimova 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (7/4).

In the men’s draw, Flavio Cobolli advanced to the final four with a 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 defeat of Tommy Paul, utilizing an unorthodox mid-match snack of sweets for an energy boost. Flavio Cobolli will now face Arthur Fils, who defeated Thiago Tirante 6-3, 6-2 in the shortest men’s match of the event.