In an early match at the National Bank Open, Elena Rybakina showed resilience against Naomi Osaka to secure a 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4 victory, advancing to the semifinals. Breaking Osaka’s serve at 3-3 in the final set, Rybakina sealed the win at Sobeys Stadium. The match, which lasted over two hours, saw a back-and-forth battle between the two players.
The match between Rybakina and Osaka was rescheduled due to Belinda Bencic’s withdrawal because of a hip injury. Coco Gauff advanced to the semifinals through a walkover. The organizers confirmed the withdrawal just before the evening match was supposed to start.
Rybakina acknowledged the challenging nature of the match and expressed uncertainty about how she managed to turn it around. Despite the unexpected time change, Rybakina’s focus and determination led her to victory. She is set to face Gauff in the upcoming semifinals.
Elina Svitolina and Iga Swiatek will also compete in the semifinals after winning their quarterfinal matches. The final is scheduled for Thursday at the tournament, offering a significant prize pool.
Bencic, who had been playing with tape around her left thigh, expressed regret over not being able to compete. Osaka, a previous finalist, fought hard but Rybakina’s solid performance secured her spot in the semifinals.
In the men’s singles, defending champion Ben Shelton progressed to the semifinals after defeating Jakub Mensik. Shelton, who has been in top form, will face Learner Tien in the next round. Brandon Nakashima also secured a spot in the semifinals, ensuring a strong American presence in the tournament.
Rafael Jodar’s victory over Arthur Fils sets up an exciting matchup against Nakashima in the upcoming Masters 1000 semifinal. The competition at the National Bank Open continues to intensify as players strive for victory and advancement.
