Swiatek Advances as Rybakina Retires Injured at Cincinnati Masters

World number one Iga Swiatek advanced to the semi-finals of the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Masters after her opponent, Elena Rybakina, was forced to retire with a heel injury. The match was halted less than 30 minutes into their quarter-final clash on Thursday.

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I was feeling anxious watching the whole situation. I hope she will be fine. Health is always the priority.

Rybakina's withdrawal, while trailing 4-1 in the opening set, casts doubt on her fitness just 10 days before the start of the US Open. "I was feeling anxious watching the whole situation," Swiatek commented. "I hope she will be fine. Health is always the priority." She added, "This is an important tournament, but the US Open is the US Open. I hope she is ready for that."

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

Had Rybakina reached the Cincinnati final, she would have claimed the world number one ranking for the first time. This opportunity arose after incumbent Aryna Sabalenka's unexpected exit from the tournament. Swiatek, the defending Cincinnati champion, expressed confidence in her recent form, noting her victory over Rybakina in the Toronto final earlier this month. "I feel great, ready to play my game... I'm happy to be playing the tennis that I am," she stated.

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It was a shame she was injured, we were having a good match.

Swiatek is now set to face Jessica Pegula in the semi-finals. Pegula secured her spot by defeating Amanda Anisimova 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (7/4), despite reportedly dealing with a hip niggle. Pegula's win marked her sixth consecutive victory against Anisimova. In the men's draw, Flavio Cobolli reached the final four by defeating Tommy Paul 2-6, 6-3, 6-4. Cobolli attributed an "unorthodox boost" to eating sweets midway through the match, a tactic he has previously used in doubles.

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I feel great, ready to play my game... I'm happy to be playing the tennis that I am.