Rybakina retires injured in quarter-final against SwiatekImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Elena Rybakina (right) won the Australian Open in JanuaryByEmily SalleyBBC Sport journalistPublished20 minutes agoElena Rybakina’s just in attempt to replace Aryna Sabalenka as world number one came to an abrupt end as she retired injured from her Cincinnati Open quarter-final against Iga Swiatek.The Kazakh second seed needed to reach the final to knock Sabalenka off the top of the rankings after the Belarusian suffered a surprise defeat by Sara Bejlek in the fourth round on Wednesday.
However, Rybakina managed just five games in her last-eight match against Poland’s Swiatek before retiring with a left ankle injury.
Trailing 4-1, the Australian Open champion called for a medical timeout after pulling up at 40-40.
Following a consultation with the trainer, Rybakina played only one more point before quitting.
“Of course I feel not the greatest, I couldn’t even push from the serve,” Rybakina reported.
“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.
“It was feeling OK before the match but unfortunately one wrong movement, one landing, and something happened.”
Swiatek, who beat Rybakina in the Canadian Open final last week, will face American world number three Jessica Pegula in the semi-finals.
The second seed is bidding to become just the second woman since 2004 to successfully defend a Cincinnati title, after Serena Williams in 2014 and 2015.
“I hope Elena will be fine. The next tournament is the priority. I know this one is important as well. But US Open is US Open,” Swiatek reported.
The US Open, where Sabalenka is the two-time defending women’s singles champion, begins on Sunday, 30 August.
“I hope she’s going be ready for that. She’s super close to being number one in the world,” Swiatek added.
“It’s a shame. I thought we were playing a good match, but health is a priority. I hope she’s going to be OK.”
