Elena Rybakina demonstrated resilience in an early match against Naomi Osaka at the National Bank Open on Tuesday. Despite trailing initially, Rybakina staged a comeback to secure a 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4 victory, advancing to the tournament’s semifinals. The second-seeded player from Kazakhstan seized a crucial break at 3-3 in the final set, ultimately clinching the win at Sobeys Stadium.
The match was rescheduled earlier than expected following Belinda Bencic’s withdrawal due to a hip injury, allowing fourth-seeded Coco Gauff to advance to the semifinals without playing. Rybakina and Osaka then engaged in a compelling two-hour, 33-minute battle, delivering a thrilling performance under the shifted time-slot.
Having competed in day sessions previously, Rybakina expressed challenges adjusting to the late-day conditions but managed to find her rhythm during the match. The six-foot-tall player, known for her powerful serves, is set to face Gauff in the semifinals, acknowledging the upcoming match as a tough challenge.
Meanwhile, the other semifinal features Elina Svitolina of Ukraine against Iga Swiatek of Poland, both securing victories in their quarterfinal matches. The tournament’s final is scheduled for Thursday, with Bencic expressing regret over her inability to compete due to injury after playing with taping on her left thigh in the previous rounds.
In a gripping encounter, Osaka initially took the lead but Rybakina fought back, saving crucial break points to eventually emerge victorious with her 15th ace. Reflecting on her performance, Rybakina emphasized her positivity and resilience throughout the match, expressing satisfaction at turning the game around.
Notably, defending men’s singles champion Ben Shelton progressed to the semifinals after a convincing win over Jakub Mensik. Shelton, aiming to retain his title, praised his performance and mental strength on court. The American player, yet to drop a set in the tournament, is set to face Learner Tien in the upcoming semifinal clash.
Additionally, Brandon Nakashima secured a semifinal spot with a dominant victory, joining Shelton and Tien in the last-four stage. Young talent Rafael Jodar also advanced after defeating Arthur Fils, setting up a compelling semifinal against Nakashima.
