In a pulsating quarterfinal clash at the 2025 Cincinnati Open, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka outlasted Elena Rybakina in a three-set epic, securing a 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(4) victory on August 15 at the Lindner Family Tennis Center. The Belarusian powerhouse, fresh off her commanding win over Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, showcased her resilience and firepower to overcome Rybakina’s relentless serve and all-court brilliance, advancing to her third semifinal of the season. This latest chapter in their storied rivalry, which now sees Sabalenka leading 8-4, underscored why their matchups are among the most electrifying on the WTA tour, setting the stage for a high-stakes run as the US Open looms.
The match, played under the blazing Ohio sun, was a showcase of contrasting styles—Sabalenka’s aggressive baseline dominance against Rybakina’s pinpoint serving and tactical versatility. Sabalenka seized control early, breaking Rybakina’s serve in the fourth game of the first set with a blistering backhand winner. She clinched the set 6-3, capitalizing on Rybakina’s unforced errors. However, the 2022 Wimbledon champion roared back in the second set, unleashing 14 aces and raising her game to level the match at 3-6. “Elena, she’s a great player and we’ve had a lot of tough battles,” Sabalenka said post-match, acknowledging the challenge. “I have no idea how I was able to win those last points. I think I just got lucky, to be honest.” The deciding set was a rollercoaster, with Rybakina breaking Sabalenka’s serve as she attempted to close out the match at 5-4, forcing a tiebreak. Trailing 4-2, Sabalenka dug deep, ripping off five consecutive points, including a forehand pass that kissed the sideline, to seal the win after two hours and 42 minutes.
Sabalenka’s victory was a testament to her growth, both mentally and tactically. After a heartbreaking loss to Coco Gauff in the Roland Garros final earlier this year, she arrived in Cincinnati with renewed focus, guided by new coach Max Mirnyi. Her improved movement and net play, areas she’s worked to refine, were evident as she countered Rybakina’s 45 winners with a more disciplined 29 of her own. “It’s amazing to win matches like that,” Sabalenka reflected, her voice tinged with relief and pride. “I remember a long time ago when I was just starting, I won a lot of matches being down match points, and not so long ago, I was thinking that it’s been a while since I’ve made a crazy comeback, and here I am.” Her ability to channel frustration into performance, a hallmark of her 2025 season, shone through as she navigated Rybakina’s four match points in the final tiebreak.
Rybakina, despite the loss, showed why she remains a formidable force. Her powerful serve, which produced a positive winner-to-error ratio of 23 to 20, kept Sabalenka under constant pressure. “It’s definitely not easy to deal with such an aggressive serve,” Sabalenka had previously noted about Rybakina, a sentiment echoed in this match as the Kazakh’s 14 aces tested her resolve. Rybakina’s recent form, including a strong win over Madison Keys in Cincinnati despite Keys’ medical timeout, highlighted her resurgence after a season marred by injuries and a drop to No. 11 in the rankings. “It was a tough match, and I’m really happy that I managed to win,” Rybakina said after her WTA Finals victory over Sabalenka last November, a reminder of her ability to challenge the world’s best. Her performance in Cincinnati, though falling short, sets her up as a dangerous contender for the US Open.
This match adds another layer to their intense rivalry, with Sabalenka now holding an 8-4 head-to-head edge. Their 13 encounters since 2019, including two Grand Slam clashes, have been defined by tight margins—none more dramatic than their June 2025 Berlin Open quarterfinal, where Sabalenka saved four match points to win 7-6(6), 3-6, 7-6(6). Rybakina’s victories, including a 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 upset at the 2024 WTA Finals, showcase her knack for exploiting Sabalenka’s occasional lapses. Their sole grass-court meeting at Wimbledon 2021 went Sabalenka’s way, but Rybakina’s 2022 Wimbledon title proves her versatility across surfaces.
As Sabalenka advances to face either Iga Świątek or Coco Gauff in the semifinals, her Cincinnati campaign reflects her dominance in 2025. With 50 WTA wins this season, including titles at the Australian Open and Madrid, and an 18-1 tiebreak record, she’s a force on hard courts. The $260 million revamped Lindner Family Tennis Center, with its player-friendly amenities, has been a fitting stage for her resurgence. For Rybakina, the loss stings but fuels her US Open preparation, where she’ll join Sabalenka and Taylor Fritz in the new mixed doubles event. As fans packed the Grandstand Court, Sabalenka’s victory—sealed by a fan’s cry of “I want to see you on Saturday!”—ignited hopes of another Cincinnati title, cementing her as a favorite for Flushing Meadows glory.
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