Rybakina Fights Back to Beat Osaka and Set Up Gauff Semifinal
Elena Rybakina has reached the Canadian Open semifinals after producing an incredible comeback to beat Naomi Osaka 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 in Toronto.
Osaka was in control after taking the first set and moving 4-2 ahead in the second. Rybakina, however, refused to let the match slip away and fought back to force a deciding set.
The Kazakh then found herself in serious trouble again at 2-3 in the third, facing 0-40 on her serve. She saved all four break points before eventually turning the match around and closing out the victory.
After the match, Rybakina explained that she was simply trying to stay in the fight rather than worry about the score.
“This first game of the match was really tough because it cost me the set. In the second I was just trying to stay closer to the score, even if I’m losing. Just fight. I’m super happy I won this match.”
Rybakina also knew she was facing a difficult opponent in Osaka, who has won four Grand Slam titles and was playing good tennis throughout the match.
“She’s a great champion. She’s a fighter. I knew it would be a tough match.”
The Kazakh said Osaka’s heavy ball and strong serve made the contest particularly demanding.
“Her ball is coming quite heavy. She can serve really well. The serve was really important today. I’m glad it went my way.”
The victory sets up a semifinal against Coco Gauff.
Their only previous meeting was in Toronto in 2022, when Gauff won a three-set battle. Now, four years later, they will meet again at the same tournament.
Rybakina is also having an outstanding season on hard courts. Her victory over Osaka takes her record to 25-5 on the surface in 2026. It is also her third WTA 1000 semifinal of the year.
Asked about the ranking after her win, she laughed before making her position clear:
“No, you guys are asking me all the time. Only when you ask, I have to think about it.”
Rybakina wants to keep her attention on the matches in front of her.
“I’m just staying in the present, trying to focus a match at a time. Not looking at the ranking, not following.”
Her goal is:
“For me it’s just important to go match by match and hopefully win titles.”
Now, another big test awaits.
Rybakina vs Gauff in Toronto.
