"No one wants to finish a match this way," says Rybakina after advancing to the semifinals in Montreal

Elena Rybakina will compete in the semifinals of the WTA 1000 in Montreal. The Kazakh player, who came within two points of defeat in the previous round against Dayana Yastremska, ended the run of another Ukrainian player, Marta Kostyuk, in the quarterfinals.

The world No. 28, struggling with a right wrist injury, was forced to retire early in the second set (6-1, 2-1 ret.). After the match, the world No. 12 reacted to her advancement, though it’s likely not how she would have preferred to reach the final four.

"I think no one wants to finish a match this way, and I just wish her a speedy recovery. There are still big tournaments ahead, and I hope she can prepare as best as possible.

As for me, I’m looking forward to my next match. I tried to give my best. I struggled a bit with my first serve. There’s been a lot of wind these past few days, which threw off my rhythm a little, but I hope to improve in that aspect in my next match.

Overall, though, I felt pretty good on the court today," the Kazakh player told Tribuna. For a spot in the final of this Canadian tournament, she will face the rising star Victoria Mboko, who defeated Bouzas Maneiro on her side of the draw.