Elena Rybakina Proud of Fighting Spirit After Surviving Naomi Osaka Scare in Toronto

Elena Rybakina overcame a set deficit to beat last year’s runner-up Naomi Osaka 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 in the quarterfinals of the Canadian Open. Osaka, who lost to home favorite Victoria Mboko in last year’s final, was bidding to reach her second final of the season.

Before starting her campaign on the North American hardcourt swing, the four-time Grand Slam champion played her first final on grass at the Bad Homburg Open but handed the walkover to Karolina Muchova. Osaka, who last won a title at the 2021 Australian Open, met Rybakina for the first time in her career. The Kazakh ace later credited her fighting spirit for her hard-fought win.

I was trying just to fight. This first game of the match was really tough because it cost me the set. In the second set, I was just trying to stay closer to the score, even if I’m losing. Just fight. I’m super happy I won this match.

Elena Rybakina said during her on-court interview

Rybakina is chasing her third WTA 1000 title. She last won a title at this level at the 2023 Italian Open. Since that win, she has played in three WTA 1000 finals, including in Indian Wells this season, losing the match to Aryna Sabalenka.

It’s rare when you don’t play some players for so many years you’re on tour. She’s a great champion. She’s a fighter. I knew it would be a tough match. We practiced a couple times. Her ball is coming quite heavy. She can serve really well. The serve was really important today. I’m glad it went my way.

Elena Rybakina added

Rybakina is chasing her second Big Title of the season in Toronto. Earlier this season, she lifted the Australian Open by upsetting Sabalenka. After her defeat to the Belarusian in Indian Wells, the World No.2 won the Stuttgart Open against Muchova.

Osaka, on the other hand, made the quarterfinals of a WTA 1000 tournament for the first time this season. Prior to the Canadian Open, she reached the fourth round three times.

Elena Rybakina will face Coco Gauff in the semifinals

Elena Rybakina has a tough challenge in the semifinals in the form of Coco Gauff. The American ace, who is chasing her first title of the season, received a walkover from Belinda Bencic in the quarterfinals. Gauff has played the reigning Australian Open champion just once, in the third round of the 2022 Canadian Open.

She’s a great fighter. I know it’s going to be a very difficult match. For me, it’s important to try to recover. If her serve gets going, it’s also not easy to return. I feel like the most important thing again is to focus on my serve, try to be focused, (take) opportunities whenever I have them, and (have) a lot of energy from the beginning.

Elena Rybakina said at the press conference

The two-time Grand Slam champion has played two finals this season, losing both. First, she lost the Miami Open final to Aryna Sabalenka, then lost the Italian Open final to Elina Svitolina.

The winner of the Gauff versus Rybakina match will face Svitolina or Iga Swiatek in the final. Swiatek, like Gauff, has not yet won a title this season. She will be playing her second semifinal of the season.

The six-time Grand Slam champion last clinched a trophy at the 2025 Korea Open. Gauff last won a title at the 2025 Wuhan Open. Svitolina has made three finals this season, winning the ASB Classic and the Italian Open, and losing the Dubai Tennis Championships.

Also read: Iga Swiatek Reveals Reason Behind Strong Performance in Toronto After Reaching Second Semifinal of 2026 Season