The current champion, Aryna Sabalenka, suffered an unexpected defeat at the Cincinnati Open, falling to Elena Rybakina in two sets with a score of 6-1 and 6-4 during the quarterfinals.
Rybakina demonstrated a dominant game from the start, securing the first set with great authority and culminating the victory in just one hour and fourteen minutes, thanks to 11 aces.
This triumph consolidates Rybakina’s good form, following her outstanding performance in the semifinals of the National Bank Open in Toronto.
The 2022 Wimbledon winner will face Iga Swiatek in the semifinals, after Swiatek defeated Anna Kalinskaya with a score of 6-3 and 6-4.
On the other hand, Carlos Alcaraz secured his place in the semifinals after defeating Andrey Rublev with a score of 6-3, 4-6, and 7-5.
Alcaraz won the first set, but Rublev reacted to tie the score in the second. It seemed that Alcaraz would seal the victory by breaking Rublev’s serve, but his opponent responded immediately, keeping the match in play.
Rublev needed to hold his serve to force a tie-break, but a double fault gave Alcaraz the victory.
The 22-year-old tennis player achieved 11 aces on his way to victory and will face Ben Shelton or Alexander Zverev.
In other results, Veronika Kudermetova achieved a convincing victory over Varvara Gracheva with a score of 6-1 and 6-2, securing her place in the semi-final against Coco Gauff or Jasmine Paolini.
