Rybakina clinches semi-final spot in Dubai

Kazakh Elena Rybakina, the No 6 seed, won against American wildcard Sofia Kenin 6-2, 7-6 (2) to move into the semi-finals of the Dubai Open at The Aviation Club Tennis Centre on Thursday.

Rybakina, ranked No 7, will face Russian Mirra Andreeva, the No 12 seed, next.

The Kazakh beat Japanese qualifier Moyuka Uchijima (6-3, 6-2) and edged out Spaniard Paula Badosa, the No 9 seed (4-6, 7-6 (8), 7-6 (2)) earlier in the tournament.

In the previous rounds of the Dubai tournament, Kenin, ranked No 56, defeated Croat Donna Vekic, the No 16 seed (7-5, 6-3), Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk (5-7, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (5)) and Italian Jasmine Paolini, the No 4 seed (6-4, 6-0).

Dubai WTA 1000, other last eight results :

• Karolina Muchova vs. Sorana Cirstea
• Clara Tauson beat Linda Noskova: 7-6 (4), 6-4
• Mirra Andreeva beat Iga Swiatek (2): 6-3, 6-3