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MONTREAL, August 16, 2024 – Elena Rybakina advanced to the semi-finals of the National Bank Open in Montreal after Marta Kostyuk was forced to retire due to injury during their quarter-final match on Tuesday. Rybakina will face Victoria Mboko in the semi-finals, a rematch of their recent encounter at the Citi Open in Washington D.C.
the match began with Rybakina, currently ranked No. 4 in the WTA rankings, converting 3 of 10 break-point opportunities. Kostyuk, ranked No. 36, received medical attention for a forearm issue after the third game, with tape applied to the area. Despite attempting to continue, she ultimately conceded the match, visibly distressed as she left IGA Stadium.
This semi-final appearance marks Rybakina’s 10th at the WTA 1000 level and her fifth of the 2024 season. She trails only Iga Swiatek (7) and Aryna Sabalenka (9) in the number of Last 4 appearances this year. Rybakina won the WTA 1000 title in Indian Wells earlier this season.
Marta Kostyuk retired from her quarter-final match against Elena Rybakina due to a forearm injury at the National Bank Open in Montréal.
© Minas Panagiotakis/Getty images
Rybakina previously defeated mboko, 6-3, 7-5, at the Citi Open in Washington on August 3rd, 2024. Mboko, 18, is enjoying a breakthrough season, reaching a career-high ranking of No. 22 on august 12th, 2024. She has benefitted from a schedule that has included a day of rest between matches at the Montreal tournament, allowing for recovery.
“I don’t feel fresh, but I also don’t feel so tired,” Mboko stated. “I think it helps that we had a day in between every single day to, kind of, regroup and collect myself. Every day, I’ve just been doing what I needed to do to recover well. Most of the days has been the night match, so I do have a lot of time in the day to take naps, and do what I need to do to prepare for the night.”
Rybakina acknowledged the challenge Mboko presents, despite her previous victory. “She’s a tough opponent. She has really good strokes, and she plays fast, and she has really good serve,” saeid the 2022 Wimbledon champion. “I feel, like, in Washington, it was also a bit arduous for both of us since it was a night match, and the conditions were, like, vrey different. Now we are playing here, and it’s more consistent, I would say. So she’s definitely dangerous. She has nothing to lose, and I’m sure she’s enjoying out there. Yeah, it’s going to be a tough one. Hopefully, I can bring my best.”
Also on Tuesday, Australian Open champion Madison Keys, seeded No. 7, will face No. 16 Clara Tauson. In the other quarter-final, four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka will compete against No. 10 seed Elina Svitolina. The tournament is being held at IGA Stadium in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
The Montréal final is scheduled for Sunday, August 18th, 2024.
