Elena Rybakina's latest 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.
#open #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.
#open #swiatek
21 days ago
