Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Elena Rybakina’s hopes of becoming the new world No.1 suffered a heartbreaking blow after she was forced to retire from her Cincinnati Open quarter-final against Iga Swiatek with a left ankle injury, just days before the US Open.
Rybakina had arrived in Cincinnati with a golden opportunity to dethrone Aryna Sabalenka at the top of the WTA rankings. Sabalenka, the defending US Open champion, suffered a surprise fourth-round defeat to unseeded 20-year-old Sara Bejlek, losing 7-6(7), 6-4. The result opened the door for Rybakina, who needed two more wins in Cincinnati to move to the summit.
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The Kazakh star had been closing the gap on Sabalenka throughout the summer, with her Australian Open triumph over the Belarusian in January playing a major role in her rise. By the time the Cincinnati tournament began, Rybakina was ranked No.2 and had a realistic chance of claiming the top spot.
RYBAKINA FIGHTING AGAINST TIME TO BE FIT FOR US OPEN
Rybakina’s quarter-final against Swiatek began with plenty at stake, but it ended in alarming fashion. Trailing 1-4 and serving at 40-40, the 27-year-old suddenly stopped during her service game. She received treatment around her left ankle before retiring moments later after just 31 minutes on court.
There were immediate fears that the injury could involve her Achilles, although reports and the WTA subsequently described it as a left ankle injury. With the US Open beginning in New York on August 30, the timing could hardly have been worse for Rybakina.
Swiatek, who advanced to the semi-finals, admitted she was worried by what she saw.
“I was feeling anxious just looking at this situation. I hope Elena will be fine. The next tournament is the priority. I know this one is important as well. But the US Open is the US Open. I hope she’s gonna be ready for that. She’s super close to being No.1 in the world. It’s a shame. I thought we were playing a good match. But health is a priority. I hope she’s gonna be okay,” Swiatek said.
For Rybakina, what began as a potentially defining week in the battle for No.1 has instead ended with uncertainty surrounding her fitness ahead of the final Grand Slam of the season. Sabalenka will retain the top ranking heading into the US Open.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
