Swiatek into Cincinnati semi-finals as injured Rybakina retires
Iga Swiatek benefited from the abandonment of Elena Rybakina (4-1) on Thursday night. She’ll play No 3 seed Jessica Pegula in the next round
Elena Rybakina and Iga Swiatek, Cincinnati 2026 | © Luke Schlaifer/Wick Photography for Cincinnati Open
Iga Swiatek reached the semi-finals of the Cincinnati Open in the most unwelcome fashion on Thursday night, advancing when second seed Elena Rybakina was forced to retire. The Pole, the No 7 seed, was leading 4-1 when Rybakina, unable to continue, brought the quarter-final to an early end.
Rybakina appeared to hurt herself during one of her service games, stopping almost immediately after striking a serve. The exact nature of the problem was not confirmed, though there were fears it could involve her Achilles, a worrying sight with the US Open, the season’s final Grand Slam, just over a week away.
Rybakina close to be No. 1
Adding to the disappointment, the Kazakh had been closing in on the top of the game: victory here would have taken her to within touching distance of the world No 1 ranking.
Swiatek, who had been in a genuine contest before the stoppage, was visibly troubled by her opponent’s plight. “I was feeling anxious just looking at the situation. I hope Elena will be fine,” she said. “I thought we were playing a good match, but health is a priority. The next tournament is the priority, the US Open is the US Open, and I hope she’s going to be ready for that. She’s super close to being No 1 in the world. It’s a shame. I hope she’s going to be okay.”
For Swiatek, it extends a strong week in which she had earlier beaten Diane Parry (6-3, 6-3), No 29 seed Maria Sakkari (4-6, 6-1, 6-1) and qualifier Emiliana Arango (6-3, 6-0), after winning the Canadian Open. Rybakina, for her part, had looked in fine form too, dropping just one set on her way through, with wins over No 14 seed Diana Shnaider, Magdalena Frech and Taylor Townsend.
Swiatek will now face American No 3 seed Jessica Pegula, a winner earlier on Thursday, for a place in the final. But the abiding image of the night was of Rybakina forced to stop mid-match, and the hope across the sport that her injury proves nothing serious ahead of New York.
