Sabalenka has played 19 tournaments in the last year, winning six of them, reaching another four finals, another four semifinals and another five quarterfinals.

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Aryna Sabalenka vs. Elena Rybakina: Match Preview

Get ready for some big hitting as two of the most powerful players on the women’s tour, Sabalenka and Rybakina, square off for a spot in the semifinals.

And it’s one of the most competitive rivalries on the women’s tour, too. Though Sabalenka leads the head-to-head, 7-4, that could easily be 6-5, as Rybakina had quadruple match point the last time they played, in the quarterfinals of Berlin during this year’s grass-court season. Sabalenka won six points in a row from 6-2 down in the third set tie-break to prevail in that one, 7-6 (6), 3-6, 7-6 (6).

Rybakina has won at least a set in all 11 of their career meetings, too.

Cincinnati has been a happier hunting ground for Sabalenka, as she not only won this title last year, she’s now trying to reach the semifinals here for the fourth year in a row. Rybakina, meanwhile, is trying to reach the semifinals here for the first time in her career.

But with six career wins over reigning No. 1s, Rybakina probably won't be intimidated at all today...

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