An early start time didn’t unsettle Elena Rybakina during Tuesday’s action at the National Bank Open. Despite a strong opening by her opponent, Rybakina staged a comeback to defeat Naomi Osaka 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4 and secure a spot in the semifinals of the WTA Tour event. Breaking Osaka’s serve at 3-3 in the final set, Rybakina clinched the victory at Sobeys Stadium after a hard-fought battle that lasted two hours and 33 minutes.
The match was rescheduled earlier due to Belinda Bencic’s withdrawal because of a hip injury, allowing fourth-seeded Coco Gauff to advance via walkover. Rybakina expressed the challenge of adjusting to the match’s timing but managed to find her rhythm eventually.
Up next for Rybakina is a semifinal face-off against Gauff, whom she acknowledged as a formidable opponent. In another semifinal matchup, Elina Svitolina of Ukraine will take on Iga Swiatek of Poland, both having secured wins in the quarterfinals. The tournament’s final is set for Thursday with a significant prize purse.
Despite a valiant effort by Osaka, Rybakina’s resilience shone through as she held her nerve to secure the victory. The match marked Rybakina’s third appearance in a WTA 1000 semifinal this season, showcasing her consistent performance on the tour.
In the men’s singles competition, defending champion Ben Shelton advanced to the semifinals after a convincing victory over Jakub Mensik. Shelton, who remains unbeaten in the tournament, expressed satisfaction with his performance and mental strength on the court. He will face Learner Tien in the upcoming semifinal, setting the stage for an exciting matchup.
The United States also saw success in the men’s event, with Brandon Nakashima securing a spot in the semifinals alongside Shelton and Tien. The competition continues to heat up as emerging talents like Rafael Jodar make their mark, setting the stage for thrilling semifinal clashes.