Iga Swiatek booked her place in the Cincinnati semi-finals after Elena Rybakina was forced to retire with a heel injury during their quarter-final clash on Thursday. The Kazakh star’s early exit has raised concerns about her fitness with the US Open just days away.
Defending champion Iga Swiatek moved into the last four of the Cincinnati Masters after Elena Rybakina’s quarter-final ended prematurely due to a heel problem.
Swiatek was leading 4-1 in the opening set when Rybakina appeared to struggle with the injury at 40-all. The world No. 2 stopped, went to her bench and consulted the trainer before briefly returning to the court.
She played just one more point before deciding she could not continue, handing Swiatek a place in the semi-finals.
The result is particularly significant with the US Open beginning in New York on August 30. Rybakina, a two-time Grand Slam champion, had been in contention to become world No. 1 for the first time in her career had she reached the Cincinnati final.
Swiatek concerned about Rybakina
Swiatek expressed sympathy for her opponent after the unexpected retirement.
“I was feeling anxious watching the whole situation,” Swiatek said, adding that she hoped Rybakina would be fine and stressing that health should come first.
The Polish star also pointed to the importance of the upcoming US Open, saying she hoped Rybakina would be fit for the Grand Slam.
Swiatek enters the semi-final with growing confidence after also defeating Rybakina in the final of this month’s Toronto tournament.
“I feel great, ready to play my game,” Swiatek said, reflecting on her recent form.
Swiatek to face Jessica Pegula
Swiatek will next meet Jessica Pegula, who defeated Amanda Anisimova in a closely fought quarter-final.
Pegula prevailed 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (7/4) after Anisimova fought back strongly to level the contest. The American world No. 3 eventually held her nerve in the deciding-set tiebreak.
The victory also extended Pegula’s unbeaten record against Anisimova to six matches.
Pegula, 32, is continuing to make history on the WTA Tour. She became the fourth player since 2009 to reach at least five Masters 1000 quarter-finals after turning 30, joining Li Na, Serena Williams and Svetlana Kuznetsova.
Cobolli, Fils reach men’s semi-finals
In the men’s draw, Flavio Cobolli produced a comeback against Tommy Paul, winning 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 to reach the final four.
Cobolli attracted attention during the match after asking for sweets to be brought onto the court. The Roland Garros runner-up joked that chocolate helped give him an energy boost.
Cobolli will face Arthur Fils for a place in the final. Fils defeated Thiago Tirante 6-3, 6-2 in only 64 minutes, making it the shortest men’s match of the tournament.
With the US Open approaching, the Cincinnati semi-finals are shaping up as an important final test for several leading players before the season’s final Grand Slam.
