World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka will not repeat as the Cincinnati Open champion. She was defeated in straight sets by Elena Rybakina in their quarterfinal match on Friday afternoon.
It is Sabalenka’s 10th loss of the 2025 season. She has lost to big hitters like Clara Tauson, Madison Keys, Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova, Jelena Ostapenko, and finesse player Marketa Vondrousova and teenager Mirra Andreeva to name a few. On the flip side, she has won over 50 matches and is qualified for the 2025 WTA Finals.
For Rybakina who has been shaky at times when serving for the match, this was a statement win. She played her best tennis of the year from start to finish and served for the match with relative ease.
That was a Rybakina MASTERCLASS 🤩
Elena Rybakina knocks out defending champion Sabalenka 6-1, 6-4.#CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/J03v3ncKUR
— wta (@WTA) August 15, 2025
Elena Rybakina will face Iga Swiatek in the semifinals while Sabalenka will get extra time to regroup before defending her title at the US Open. Main draw play begins August 24.
Aryna Sabalenka Has Won 3 Titles In 2025
Sabalenka won Brisbane International in January, the Miami Open in March, and the Mutua Madrid Open in May. She has appeared in seven finals including the Australian Open and French Open.
Because of her consistency, she has a sizeable lead in the rankings points giving her a firm hold on the World No. 1 ranking.
Most troubling about the 2025 Sabalenka is that she appears more emotional, frustrated, and angry on the court when things are not going her way. It is not the easy breezy Saby of years past. I can’t help but wonder if some of that emotional baggage is holding her back.
We will see what the US Open brings, and if she puts herself in a position to defend that title. Winning solves all problems, and perhaps repeating in New York is just what Sabalenka needs to make her 2025 season a memorable one.
