Elena Rybakina showed her resilience at the National Bank Open, overcoming a slow start to defeat Naomi Osaka in a thrilling three-set match. The second-seeded player from Kazakhstan broke Osaka’s serve in the deciding set and secured a 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4 victory at Sobeys Stadium.

The match was rescheduled earlier due to Belinda Bencic’s withdrawal because of a hip injury, allowing Coco Gauff to advance to the semifinals with a walkover. Despite the change in plans, Rybakina and Osaka delivered an intense battle lasting over two hours and 30 minutes.

Rybakina, known for her powerful serves, expressed the challenge of adjusting to the match’s timing and lighting conditions. She will now face Gauff in the upcoming semifinals, acknowledging the tough competition that lies ahead.

In another exciting matchup, Elina Svitolina of Ukraine will take on Iga Swiatek of Poland in the semifinals. The tournament’s final is set for Thursday, with players competing for the $7.43 million prize.

Bencic, the 12th seed, expressed disappointment at not being able to compete and praised the tournament and its fans. Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, showcased her skills but fell short as Rybakina sealed her spot in the semifinals with a stellar performance.

On the men’s side, defending champion Ben Shelton advanced to the semifinals after a convincing win over Jakub Mensik. Shelton, who remains undefeated in the tournament, will face Learner Tien in the next round, setting the stage for an exciting matchup.

The United States also saw success in the men’s competition, with Brandon Nakashima securing a semifinal spot alongside Rafael Jodar, who will face off in their first Masters 1000 semifinal. The competition continues to heat up as players strive for victory at the prestigious event.