Rybakina Rallies Past Osaka to Reach Canadian Open Semifinals
Second-seeded Elena Rybakina battled back from a set and a break down to defeat Naomi Osaka 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 in their Canadian Open quarterfinal in...
Second-seeded Elena Rybakina battled back from a set and a break down to defeat Naomi Osaka 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 in their Canadian Open quarterfinal in Toronto on Tuesday, setting up a semifinal meeting with fourth-seeded Coco Gauff. The match, played at Sobeys Stadium, marked the first tour-level meeting between the two players.
A Tight Three-Set Battle
Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, broke Rybakina’s serve in the opening game and held that advantage through the first set. She extended her control into the second set, building a 4-2 lead before Rybakina found her footing, rallying to force a tiebreak and taking it 7-6(5) to level the match.
In the deciding set, Rybakina fended off four break points before breaking Osaka’s serve in back-to-back games to close out the win. The match lasted two hours and 33 minutes.
Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion and this year’s Australian Open winner, reflected on the difficulty of the opening exchanges after the match. “This first game of the match was really tough because it cost me the set,” she said. “In the second I was just trying to stay closer to the score, even if I’m losing.” She also praised her opponent’s résumé and competitiveness: “It’s rare when you don’t play some players for so many years you’re on tour. She’s a great champion. She’s a fighter. I knew it would be a tough match.”
Gauff Advances Without Playing
Earlier Tuesday, Gauff reached the semifinals without hitting a ball after her scheduled opponent, Belinda Bencic, withdrew from their quarterfinal due to a hip injury. The walkover gives Gauff extra time to prepare ahead of the US Open.
The 2023 US Open champion, 22, is into the 16th WTA 1000 semifinal of her career as she continues to chase her first tournament title of the year. Gauff has been runner-up in Miami and Rome this season and exited Wimbledon in a close semifinal defeat, but has looked sharp in Toronto, where she has yet to drop a set. She has also introduced new tactical elements to her game this season.
A Rematch of a 2022 Final
Gauff and Rybakina have met only once before on tour, also in Toronto, where Gauff won in three sets in 2022. Their upcoming semifinal will determine who advances to the Canadian Open final.
