Rybakina Advances to Toronto Masters 2026 Semifinals

JAKARTA - Elena Rybakina secured a ticket to the 2026 Toronto Masters semifinals after a tough battle against Naomi Osaka.

The Kazakhstani tennis player, who is currently ranked second in the world, had to bounce back after losing the first set and defeating Osaka in three sets 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), and 6-4 for 2 hours 33 minutes on Tuesday local time or Wednesday, August 12, 2026.

Rybakina appeared by relying on her hard serve and recorded 13 aces throughout the match. However, he admitted that he did not start the match with the best game.

"Very happy. It was a very difficult match. In the first set I made some mistakes, a bad start. I don't know how to turn things around, but my serve helped a little," Rybakina said after the match.

This victory brings Rybakina to the semifinals to face the fourth-seeded American, Coco Gauff.

The 2023 US Open and 2025 French Open champion advanced to the last four without having to play because Belinda Bencic, whom he was supposed to face, withdrew due to a hip injury.

"I'm sorry I can't compete. I've tried everything to be ready," said Bencic.

Rybakina and Gauff have only met once in a competitive match. The meeting took place in the third round of the 2022 Toronto Masters and Gauff came out as the winner.

"He's a fighter. I have to bring energy and serve well," Rybakina said of her potential semifinal opponent.

Rybakina was under pressure from the opening game when she met Osaka. The double fault he made allowed Osaka to get an early break. The Japanese tennis player was then able to maintain the lead and secure the first set 6-4 in 42 minutes.

Rybakina improved her game in the second set. Both players lost their serve twice until the score had to be determined through a tie-break. Rybakina appeared calmer and never fell behind before securing the set 7-5 through a forehand winner.

"I tried to stay close in the score and not think about making mistakes. I just kept going," Rybakina said.

In the deciding set, Osaka had four break opportunities in the sixth game. However, Rybakina was able to save all of these opportunities and defend her serve.

The momentum then switched completely to Rybakina. She broke Osaka's serve to take a 4-3 lead after her opponent failed to direct a forehand smash, followed by a number of forehand shots that went out of the field.

Rybakina finally locked in the victory with an ace on her second serve. She even won all 18 points from the first serve in the third set.

For Osaka, this result again extended her wait for a title. The world number 13 last won a title when she won the Australian Open in 2021.

Meanwhile, for Rybakina, the victory over Osaka made her chances of capturing the world number one position more open. If she is able to win the Toronto Masters, she will cut the distance with Aryna Sabalenka to only four points.

Meanwhile, Sabalenka has been eliminated in the 16th round of the 2026 Toronto Masters.

Besides Rybakina and Gauff, the 2026 Toronto Masters semifinals will also bring together Poland's Iga Swiatek with Ukraine's Elina Svitolina.