Elena Rybakina defeated Naomi Osaka 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 in a two-hour 33-minute quarter-final match on August 11, 2026, to reach the Canadian Open semifinals in Toronto [1]. Rybakina described the match as tough, saying, "This first game of the match was really tough because it cost me the set... She’s a great champion. She’s a fighter. I knew it would be a tough match" [1].
Rybakina had advanced to the quarter-finals on August 9 by surviving a scare against Liudmila Samsonova, winning 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in a tightly contested match [2, 3, 4]. Naomi Osaka also reached the quarter-finals on the same day, defeating Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 6-4. Osaka called Fernandez "kind of like a bulldog," praising her consistency and fighting spirit, and said she felt more confident in her game as the match progressed [2].
Coco Gauff moved into the semifinals after Belinda Bencic withdrew from their quarter-final match due to a hip injury on August 11 [1]. Gauff had dominated her third-round match on August 9 against Alina Korneeva, winning 6-3, 6-1 without dropping a set so far in the tournament [2, 3, 4]. Gauff reflected on her performance, saying, "My main focus today was let me try and close it out... I’m proud of how the last three matches have gone and just knowing if I have to go the distance I’m ready but obviously would prefer to cut it short if I can" [2].
Belinda Bencic had reached the quarter-finals with a convincing 6-4, 6-0 win over 21-year-old Filipina WTA title winner Alexandra Eala on August 9. Bencic commented on her struggle playing left-handed opponents, noting it was tricky but helped by facing Taylor Townsend in the previous round [4]. Bencic’s withdrawal from the match against Gauff ended her run in the tournament [1].
Rybakina will face Coco Gauff in one semifinal, while the winner of the other quarter-final will complete the semifinal lineup. The Canadian Open semifinals are set to continue with these matchups following the quarter-finals held earlier this week.
