Elena Rybakina is set to face Aryna Sabalenka in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Cincinnati Open, marking their 12th career meeting. Sabalenka currently leads their head-to-head 7–4, but their recent encounters have been tightly contested, with the last three matches all going to three sets. Rybakina acknowledged the intensity of their rivalry, saying, “Another tough opponent. We played so many times. It was always such a battle.”

Rybakina’s path to the quarterfinals

Rybakina earned her spot in the quarterfinals by defeating Madison Keys in a hard-fought three-set match, winning 6–7 (3), 6–4, 6–2. The victory was particularly satisfying for Rybakina, who had lost to Keys earlier in the season at the Australian Open. With this win, she added 200 ranking points and returned to the Top-10 following her semifinal run at the Canadian Open.

Sabalenka’s dominance and momentum

Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1 and defending champion in Cincinnati, advanced to the quarterfinals with a commanding 6–1, 7–5 win over Jessica Bouzas Maneiro. She has been in strong form throughout the tournament and recently became the first player to reach 50 wins on the WTA Tour in 2025. Sabalenka is also working with new coach Max Mirnyi, who joined her team in January to help refine her net play and serve.

What’s at stake in the quarterfinal clash

The winner of the Rybakina vs. Sabalenka match will move on to face either Iga Swiatek or Anna Kalinskaya in the semifinals. Both Rybakina and Sabalenka are known for their powerful serves and aggressive baseline play, making this matchup one of the most anticipated of the tournament. Rybakina expressed her hope that fans will enjoy the spectacle, saying, “Hopefully you guys can enjoy our match

Sabalenka in Cincinnati, ranking, and results in 2025

Now ranked no.1, Sabalenka has an overall 50-9 match record in 2025. Aryna is currently competing in Cincinnati where she conquered the world no.59 Marketa Vondrousova 7-5 6-1

, the world no.39 Emma Raducanu 7-6(3) 4-6 7-6(5) and the world no.42 Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-1 7-5.

Aryna Sabalenka will fight against the world no.10 Elena Rybakina in the quarter. Their actual record is 7-4 for Sabalenka.

Aryna clinched 3 titles in 2025 in Brisbane, Miami and Madrid. Sabalenka was the runner-up at the Australian Open, in Indian Wells (BNP Paribas Open), in Stuttgart (Porsche Tennis Grand Prix) and at the French Open.

The Belarussian won 20 titles in her career: 15 on hard courts, 3 on clay courts and 2 on indoor courts. (See the list of her titles)

Rybakina in Cincinnati, ranking, and results in 2025

Currently ranked no.10, the Kazakhstani achieved a 40-15 match record in 2025. Rybakina is currently competing in Cincinnati where she beat the world no.70 Renata Zarazua 4-6 6-0 7-5, the world no.22 Elise Mertens 4-6 6-3 7-5 and the world no.6 Madison Keys 6-7(3) 6-4 6-2.

Elena Rybakina will compete against the world no.1 Aryna Sabalenka in the quarter. Their current head to head is 7-4 for Sabalenka.

The Kazakhstani has won 1 title in 2025 in Strasbourg.

Elena won 9 titles in her career: 4 on hard courts, 4 on clay courts and 1 on grass courts. (See the list of her titles)

Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina played each other 11 times. Their actual head to head record is 7-4 for Sabalenka.