Rybakina defeats Osaka, advances to Canadian Open semifinals to play Gauff

Rybakina defeats Osaka, advances to Canadian Open semifinals to play GauffElena Rybakina stages a huge comeback to beat Naomi Osaka and will now play Coco Gauff for a place in the final.Second-seeded Elena Rybakina fought back from a set and a break down to prevail 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 in her Canadian Open quarterfinal against Naomi Osaka in Toronto on Tuesday.Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon and 2026 ⁠Australian Open champion, will meet fourth-seeded Coco Gauff for a place in the final after the American’s opponent, Belinda Bencic, withdrew due to a hip injury.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo marries long-term partner in Portugallist 2 of 4PSG begin their latest trophy quest against Aston Villa in UEFA Super Cuplist 3 of 4Poland says Women’s World Cup plan on course despite UEFA boycott of FIFAlist 4 of 4Somali referee denied World Cup ‘proud’ to oversee UEFA Super Cupend of listIn ⁠the first tour-level meeting between Osaka and Rybakina, the Japanese player looked to be cruising to victory after breaking in the opening game and holding that advantage to pocket the first set.The four-time Grand Slam champion then surged to a 4-2 lead in ‌the second set, but Rybakina rallied and came out on top in a tiebreaker to force the decider.In the third set, the Kazakh successfully defended four break points before breaking Osaka’s serve in back-to-back games to seize control and seal victory in two hours and 33 minutes.“This first game of the match was really tough because it cost me the set,” Rybakina said. “In the second ⁠I was just trying to stay closer to the score, ⁠even if I’m losing.“It’s rare when you don’t play some players for so many years you’re on tour. She’s a great champion. She’s a fighter. I knew it would be a tough match.”Naomi Osaka, left, congratulates Elena Rybakina after their quarterfinal match at Sobeys Stadium, Toronto, Canada on August 11, 2026 [John E Sokolowski/Imagn Images via Reuters]Earlier ⁠on Tuesday, Gauff advanced without striking a ball after Bencic withdrew from their quarterfinal, giving the American more time to ⁠fine-tune her game before the US Open.