Mason, Ohio: Elena Rybakina retired from her Cincinnati Open quarterfinal against defending champion Iga Swiatek on Thursday night after aggravating a troublesome left ankle injury.
The No. 2-ranked Rybakina was serving at 1-4, 40-40 in the opening set when she called for a medical timeout. Trainers attended to her left ankle area, but the 27-year-old was unable to continue moments later.
“Of course I feel not the greatest,” Rybakina said. “It’s painful to walk. We’ll know more tomorrow when we have the MRI. It’s been bothering me for a long period of time but felt like I had it under control.”
Rybakina said the injury had felt manageable before the match but worsened after what she described as one wrong movement.
“It was feeling OK before (Thursday’s) match,” Rybakina said. “Unfortunately one wrong movement and something happened.”
She decided to retire after struggling to put full weight on her leg while attempting to serve. The injury could be a concern with the U.S. Open approaching.
Rybakina had been in contention for the No. 1 ranking after top seed Aryna Sabalenka lost to Sara Bejlik earlier Thursday. Reaching the Cincinnati final would have given Rybakina a chance to move to the top of the rankings.
Swiatek advanced to the semifinals, where she will face American Jessica Pegula. The Polish star has now reached at least the semifinals in each of her last four Cincinnati appearances. She also defeated Rybakina in the semifinals at the tournament last year.
“Not the way you want the match to end,” Swiatek said. “She didn’t look good, obviously. Then she wanted treatment and I wasn’t sure if she was going to be back or not. She’s walking normally now. I felt really sorry for her but hopefully it’s nothing serious and she’s going to be ready for the U.S. Open.”