Sabalenka suffered a comprehensive 6-1, 6-4 defeat to Rybakina in the quarterfinal on Friday. The thrashing defeat raised questions about her status as World No. 1, as she appeared frustrated with the result.

Aryna Sabalenka's Cincinnati Open title defense is over. The World No. 1 was eliminated by Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals Aug. 15.

Twice down break point while two games from victory against world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina stepped up to serve. She had let victory slip through her fingers against Sabalenka two months earlier in Berlin, squandering four consecutive match points in a third-set tiebreak. She had suffered close losses from winning positions all year.