Swiatek into Cincinnati semis after Rybakina injury

Cincinnati – World No. 2 Elena Rybakina’s participation in the US Open has been thrown into doubt after she was forced to retire with a heel injury less than half an hour into her Cincinnati Open quarter-final with Iga Swiatek on Aug 20.

Trailing 4-1 in the opening set, the 27-year-old Kazakh suddenly pulled up short at 40-40, heading to her bench and consulting with the trainer.

She went back out and played one more point before quitting. The US Open, the last Major of the year, starts on Aug 30.

“I was feeling anxious watching the whole situation,” said Swiatek, who had beaten Rybakina in last week’s Toronto final. “I hope she will be fine. Health is always the priority.

“This is an important tournament, but the US Open is the US Open. I hope she is ready for that.

“It was a shame she was injured. We were having a good match.”

Had two-time Grand Slam winner Rybakina reached the Cincinnati final, she would have risen to world No. 1 for the first time in her career, following incumbent Aryna Sabalenka’s shock last-16 loss to 20-year-old Sara Bejlek.

“I feel great, ready to play my game,” added defending Cincinnati champion Swiatek.

“I’ve gained a lot of confidence in the last weeks. I’m happy to be playing the tennis that I am.”

‘Good record’

The 25-year-old Pole’s semi-final opponent will be American Jessica Pegula, who is reportedly carrying a hip niggle after defeating Amanda Anisimova 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (6-4).

Sixth-seeded Anisimova converted all five of her break points against Pegula, breaking her three times in the second set, before her countrywoman rebounded to win.

Pegula is setting WTA records at age 32. She is the fourth player since 2009 to reach five or more WTA 1000 quarter-finals after turning 30, along with Li Na, Serena Williams and Svetlana Kuznetsova.

She took charge early against Anisimova, needing just 34 minutes to pocket the opening set on the first of three chances.

But the 24-year-old struck back in the second, earning a double break for 4-0 and squaring the match at one set each, before Pegula regrouped with an opening break in the deciding set.

They would each be broken twice as they went to the tie-break, where Pegula sealed the win on her first match point.

This was her sixth win in as many meetings with Anisimova.

“I know I have a good record against her, but literally every single match is like it was today,” said Pegula.

Sweet victory

In the men’s draw, Flavio Cobolli advanced to the final four with a 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 win over Tommy Paul, gobbling down a handful of sweets for an unorthodox boost midway through the match.

The Roland Garros runner-up asked for the treats to be brought to the court and seemingly took energy from the pause before dispatching Paul, who had himself eliminated top seed Alexander Zverev 24 hours earlier.

“A sweet with chocolate makes me happy,” said the 24-year-old Italian. “I’ve tried it in doubles, so why not singles?”

He mounted the comeback after dropping the opening set against Paul, one of four US men in the quarter-finals.

With the match tied at a set apiece, the American needed an extraordinary effort to hold serve for 4-3 in the final set, battling through five deuces and saving four break points.

But Cobolli ignored the showing as he closed out victory.

“It was a difficult day,” the winner said. “I’m proud of my effort, my game and my mental strength. It is all good practice for the US Open.”

He will play for a place in the final when he faces Arthur Fils, who defeated Argentina’s Thiago Tirante 6-3, 6-2 in just 64 minutes – the shortest men’s match of the event.

Fils, the eighth Frenchman to reach Cincinnati semi-finals in the Open era, said he was impressed by his opponent’s big game.

“He has an unbelievable serve, I was surprised by the speed of his ball,” said the 22-year-old.

“I tried to make him play a bit more. I stayed solid in my head and it worked pretty well for me.” AFP