Cincinnati: Elena Rybakina routs Aryna Sabalenka, makes amends for Berlin heartbreak

Elena Rybakina was all business against Aryna Sabalenka this time as the No. 9 seed routed the top-seeded Belarusian 6-1 6-4 in just an hour and 14 minutes of play to reach the Cincinnati Open semifinal.

Two months ago, the Kazakh had four consecutive match points in the third-set tie-break of her Berlin quarterfinal against Sabalenka, but stunningly lost the next six points and the match.

However, Rybakina showed no signs of being mentally impacted by what happened in Berlin since she won five games in a row from 1-1 to take the opening set in style. By claiming a break in the third game of the second set and holding to her serve for the rest of the match, the 2022 Wimbledon winner sealed the win.

It was an outstanding display from the Kazakh, who fired 11 aces – earned three breaks – and saved 5-of-5 of break points she faced. By ousting Sabalenka, the 26-year-old achieved a very notable feat.

4 – Elena Rybakina has equalled Petra Kvitova and Aryna Sabalenka (4) for the most wins against the World No.1 in WTA-1000 since the format introduction in 2009. Stellar. #CincyTennis | @CincyTennis @WTA @WTA_insider pic.twitter.com/LcqYTuSjCS

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) August 15, 2025

Rybakina’s reaction to beating Sabalenka in Cincinnati

“I’m happy with the serve. It was the key. We’re both big hitters. Today I served really well. If Aryna serves well, it’s completely different. Hopefully I continue like this,” she said in her on-court interview after beating Sabalenka.

After ousting the Belarusian, Rybakina will look to clinch her second major win of the tournament when she takes on Iga Swiatek in the Cincinnati semifinal. 

In their most recent meeting – which came in the French Open round-of-16 – Rybakina led 6-1 2-0 before Swiatek stormed back to win in three 1-6 6-3 7-5. It remains to be seen if the Kazakh can get her revenge and snap her three-match losing streak against the Pole.