Swiatek early retirement due to injury grants Rybakina a place in the semifinals in Rome
Updated: May 23
6th Seed, Elena Rybakina advanced to the semifinals of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia after two-time defending champion Iga Swiatek was forced to retire with a right thigh injury. The reigning Wimbledon champion advanced to her first WTA 1000 semifinal on clay after Swiatek retired at 2-6, 7-6(3), 2-2.
Rybakina will face No.20 Jelena Ostapenko in the semifinals on Friday.
Rybakina has defeated Swiatek twice in her career, once in the Australian Open and once in Indian Wells earlier this year. Rybakina is currently 3-2 all-time against active World No. 1s. She has advanced to her third WTA 1000 semifinal of the year at the age of 23.
The Foro Italico's 14-match winning streak of Swiatek is over thanks to her retirement. The previous two years, she had won the awards.