Cincinnati, August 21, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Elena Rybakina’s bid to challenge Aryna Sabalenka for the top spot in the WTA Rankings suffered a setback after she retired from her Cincinnati Open quarterfinal against Iga Swiatek with a left ankle injury on Thursday.
Swiatek was leading 4-1, with Rybakina serving at 40-15, when the Kazakh began struggling with her movement. After failing to complete a net exchange and then missing a difficult half-volley following a passing shot from Swiatek, Rybakina bent over with her hands on her knees.
She subsequently struggled to push off while serving. Following a mid-game medical assessment, Rybakina retired moments later.
Rybakina said the injury had been troubling her for some time but had remained under control until her recent run of matches in Canada and Cincinnati. She added that even walking was painful and that an MRI would provide more clarity.
“It’s been bothering me for a long period of time. It was under control, but then after playing a lot of matches in Canada and coming here playing two matches in a row… It was feeling okay before the match but unfortunately one wrong movement, one landing, and something happened,” Rybakina said.
Her retirement also ended her immediate opportunity to challenge Sabalenka for the No. 1 ranking. After Sabalenka’s fourth-round defeat to Sara Bejlek on Wednesday, Rybakina needed to reach the Cincinnati final to move to the top. Sabalenka will therefore remain No. 1 heading into next week’s US Open.
Swiatek, who won the Toronto title before arriving in Cincinnati, will face Jessica Pegula in the semifinals.
“I hope Elena will be fine. The next tournament is the priority. I know this one is important as well. But US Open is US Open. I hope she’s gonna be ready for that,” Swiatek said.
Swiatek is bidding to become only the second woman since 2004 to successfully defend the Cincinnati title, following Serena Williams’ 2014-15 triumphs. She leads Pegula 7-5 overall but trails 1-3 in their hard-court meetings.
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