(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Elena Rybakina Reaches Montreal Semifinals After Marta Kostyuk Retirement, Sends Classy Message
Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion and current No. 9 seed at the Canadian Open, has advanced to the semifinals of the Montreal Open 2025 after her opponent, Marta Kostyuk, retired due to a wrist injury. Despite the early finish, Rybakina displayed true sportsmanship by wishing her opponent a speedy recovery, especially with the US Open 2025 just around the corner.
Strong Start by Rybakina
Rybakina came out firing in the quarterfinal clash, breaking Kostyuk three times in the first set to cruise to a 6-1 victory. She maintained momentum into the second set, leading 2-1 before the match came to an unexpected end due to Kostyuk’s injury concerns.
Kostyuk Struggles After Grueling Schedule
Kostyuk, the 24th seed, had shown resilience throughout the tournament, winning three consecutive three-set matches before facing Rybakina. However, signs of physical strain were visible early in the quarterfinal, and she ultimately made the difficult decision to retire, prioritizing recovery.
Rybakina’s Reaction: “No One Wants to Win Like This”
In her post-match comments, Rybakina expressed empathy for her opponent:
“It’s never ideal to finish a match this way. No one wants to win like this. I felt pretty good from the baseline and will work on improving my serve tomorrow. Marta is a strong competitor who always gives her best. I hope she recovers quickly—especially with the big tournaments coming up.”
Rybakina vs Mboko Set for Semifinal Showdown
This victory marks Rybakina’s third straight win over Kostyuk, improving her head-to-head record to 3-1. Her next opponent in Montreal will be Canada’s rising tennis sensation, Victoria Mboko, who defeated Jessica Bouzas Maneiro to secure her spot in the semifinals.
With Rybakina’s experience and Mboko’s momentum, fans can look forward to a thrilling semifinal at the Montreal Open.
Stay updated with the latest from the Canadian Open 2025, and follow us for match highlights, player interviews, and expert analysis as the tournament heads toward its final stages.
