Cincinnati Open quarterfinal preview: Sabalenka vs. Rybakina
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka will square off with Elena Rybakina in a high-stakes Cincinnati Open quarterfinal on Friday. The match is slated for 12:30 p.m. ET at the P&G Center Court in Cincinnati, with the winner advancing to the semifinals on Saturday. Sabalenka leads the head-to-head 7-4, though Rybakina has claimed four of their last seven meetings, underscoring a competitive clash between two of the tour’s top players.
Television and streaming info:
– TV: Tennis Channel
– Live stream: DirecTV (free trial), fuboTV, Sling, Hulu + Live TV
– Sabalenka (No. 1) versus Rybakina (No. 9)
Sabalenka remains the top-ranked player, while Rybakina has shown strong form to climb into the top 10. This quarterfinal matchup is widely viewed as a key test for Sabalenka’s consistency on a tour to prepare for the late-summer slate.
In other tennis news from the Associated Press:
Venus Williams will return to Grand Slam tennis at the U.S. Open after a two-year absence, receiving a wild-card invitation to compete in singles at Flushing Meadows at age 45. She will be the oldest singles entrant since 1981, according to the International Tennis Federation. Williams also has a wild-card for the mixed doubles event, partnering with Reilly Opelka. Singles matches begin August 24. Williams owns seven major singles titles and 14 doubles titles, most with sister Serena, who retired with 23 Slam singles trophies in 2022. Williams last played a Grand Slam singles match at the 2023 U.S. Open.
Williams’ Cincinnati Open wild-card appearance last year ended in the first round of singles, but her return to the U.S. Open adds a compelling storyline as she chases more milestones later in her career. The US Open field is also rounding out with a slate of wild cards announced for both Americans and international players.
Commentary and outlook:
– This Sabalenka-Rybakina duel should hinge on first-serve percentage and the ability to control rallies from the baseline. Sabalenka’s power and aggressive baseline game will test Rybakina’s serve and a patient, heavy ball-striking approach.
– Cincinnati’s conditions and the quick indoor-outdoor transitions can tilt momentum if either player gets into a rhythm early. A semifinal berth here would set Sabalenka up for a strong run heading into the US Open.
Summary in Fijian
Veiwasewe ni Qito Cincinnati Open me na Quarterfinal: Sabalenka kei Rybakina
Na qito qo ena qito ena 12:30 i nai valenibula (Friday) e na P&G Center Court, Cincinnati. Na iVakadinadina levu e Tauyaga: Sabalenka (iSega 1) kei Rybakina (iSega 9). E tiko na nomu veiyabaki ni veiyakavi: Sabalenka e 7-4 na veiqaravi vosa ni ivavakoso kei Rybakina, ia e voli me na ivalu vata ena gauna e 7 era curu mai.
Na iVakadewaqa ni TV: Tennis Channel. Na vei yaqona na Ilavo: DirecTV (free trial), fuboTV, Sling, Hulu + Live TV. E dua na cabora ni veika o Sabalenka kei Rybakina ni rai ni kena veitokani, ena dua na qito veivakadonui.
E so tale na iVakasalataki: Venus Williams ena gauna oqo ena vakarau talanoa ki na Grand Slam ni US Open mai na noda vua e dua na qito me rau tauri kina ena 2025, e laurai me dua na wild-card. E 45 na yabaki na draki qito, ka levu tiko na veitalanoa ena vuravura me baleta na nona so na iVakalawa. Ena taura talega na wild-card me baleta na mixed doubles kei Reilly Opelka. Na qito singles ena tekivu ena Aug 24. Williams e vakacerecere tani vei ira na iVakaraitaki ni nodra ivakarau ni qito ni kena tiko na veika e na vakadeitaka na Grand Slam.
Na veika oqo e curu mai na veika ena matata ni tennis kei na veisau ni itaba ni meke, ni tukuna talega e na curu mai na veiqaravi ni US Open me tawana na lewenivanua me laurai kina na veiqaravi ni vuli ni qito.
Additional note:
– This quarterfinal matchup is a strong indicator of form ahead of the US Open, with both players capable of delivering elite tennis on big stages.
– Look for urgency in Sabalenka’s aggressive returns and for Rybakina to rely on serve-plus-forehand pressure to destabilize Sabalenka’s baseline rhythm. If either player grabs momentum early, they could push toward a likely showdown with a semifinal berth on the line.