Cincinnati Open: Stormy Rybakina stuns Sabalenka, advances to semi-finals

Elena Rybakina won against Aryna Sabalenka 6-1, 6-4 on Friday evening and will face Pole Iga Swiatek, the No 3 seed, in the next round

15 August 2025

Elena Rybakina, 2025 | © Zuma / PsNewz

Cédric Rouquette

Cincinnati Open •Quarter-final • Completed

See draw

A. SabalenkavsE. Rybakina

Kazakh Elena Rybakina, the No 9 seed, reached the semi-finals of the Cincinnati Open by beating Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, the top seed and efending champion, 6-1, 6-4 at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on Friday. The 2022 Wimbledon winner played his best match for a very long time and delivered an impressive display of power.

It’s her 11th WTA 1000 semi-final, first time at Cincinnati, and third of this year after Dubai and Montreal.

Rybakina notably showcased superior serving and tactical execution. Rybakina hit 11 aces, very often on important points, while keeping her double faults to just one. She won 80,6% of her first-serve points and 55% of second-serve points, which allowed her to hold serve comfortably and maintain pressure on Sabalenka.

In contrast, Sabalenka won only 54,5% of her first-serve points. Rybakina’s return game was also stronger, as she converted 3 of 5 break points while Sabalenka failed to convert any of her five opportunities.

Rybakina – Swiatek next

“I’m happy with the serve, it was the key”, she said. “We’re both big hitters. Today I served really well. If Aryna serves well, it’s completely different. Hopefully I continue like this.”

Rybakina, ranked No 12, has just defeated a number one in the world for the seventh time of her career, which hadn’t happen since the WTA Finals 2024. She will play Pole Iga Swiatek, the No 3 seed, next.

Ahead of her victory, the Kazakh won against American Madison Keys, the No 6 seed (6-7 (3), 6-4, 6-2), Belgian Elise Mertens, the No 19 seed (4-6, 6-3, 7-5) and Mexican Renata Zarazua (4-6, 6-0, 7-5).

Sabalenka, ranked No 1, defeated Spaniard Jessica Bouzas Maneiro (6-1, 7-5), Englishwoman Emma Raducanu, the No 30 seed (7-6 (3), 4-6, 7-6 (5)) and Czech Marketa Vondrousova (7-5, 6-1) earlier in the tournament.