Montreal, 12 August (H.S.): World No. 2 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan produced a remarkable comeback to defeat Japan’s Naomi Osaka 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 in a thrilling three-set encounter and book her place in the semifinals of the Canada Open.

Osaka made an impressive start, breaking Rybakina in the very first service game of the match. Rybakina had an immediate opportunity to respond in the following game, but Osaka held her nerve, saving three break points to protect her serve.

Rybakina was unable to create another break-point opportunity throughout the opening set, allowing Osaka to maintain control and take the first set 6-4.

Rybakina found her rhythm in the second set. Although she dropped serve in two of her opening three service games, the Australian Open champion responded by breaking Osaka twice to keep the contest level and force a tiebreak.

Rybakina then held her composure in the tiebreak, winning it 7-5 to take the match into a deciding third set.

The final set produced another intense battle. With Rybakina trailing 2-3 and facing three break points on her serve, the 27-year-old displayed remarkable composure. She saved all three chances to hold serve and successfully turned the momentum in her favour.

Osaka subsequently came under increasing pressure. After falling 3-4 behind, she lost her serve and showed her frustration by smashing her racket.

Rybakina then closed out the contest in emphatic fashion, firing three consecutive aces to seal a memorable victory and secure her place in the last four.

Speaking after the match, Rybakina said she focused on continuing to fight despite falling behind.

“I was just trying to keep fighting. The first game was really tough because I lost the set because of that. In the second set, my goal was to stay close on the scoreboard even when I was behind. I kept fighting and I am really happy with this win,” she said.

Rybakina will face American star Coco Gauff in the semifinal. The two players have met only once previously, with their sole encounter taking place in Toronto in 2022.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar