Świątek advances to Cincinnati semifinal after Rybakina retires injured, Pegula also through

Two semifinalists have been decided in the Cincinnati WTA quarterfinals. Poland's world number one Iga Świątek advanced early after Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina was forced to retire through injury.

Świątek was considered the favorite heading into the match, and the contest ended with her leading 4:1 and holding a point advantage on serve. Rybakina missed her first serve and then announced she could not continue due to a left ankle injury.

This marked Świątek's seventh appearance at the Cincinnati tournament, where she claimed the title last year. Her head-to-head record against Rybakina now stands at 9 wins to 7. Świątek had already triumphed just days earlier at the Toronto WTA 1000 event.

Pegula survives three-set battle

The second semifinalist is American number one Jessica Pegula, who defeated compatriot Amanda Anisimova 6:4, 2:6, 7:6 in the quarterfinals. Although Anisimova entered as the slight favorite, Pegula proved stronger in the decisive tiebreak, winning it 7:4.

In the third set, Pegula built a two-break lead before Anisimova fought back to level the score. Statistically, Pegula lost the battle for break points but won more points on second serve and more total points overall. Her head-to-head record against Anisimova now reads 7 wins to 1 loss.

Świątek and Pegula will now face each other in the semifinal. In the tournament's other quarterfinal pairing, Madison Keys takes on Sara Bejlek, while Coco Gauff meets Marta Kostyuk.