Rybakina beats Osaka 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 to reach Canadian Open semis
Synopsis
Down a set and staring at triple break point in the third, Elena Rybakina saved four break points in a single game to swing the Canadian Open quarterfinal on its head. Three closing aces later, Osaka was out and Rybakina was through — a masterclass in nerve that sets up a semifinal against Coco Gauff.
Key Takeaways
Elena Rybakina defeated Naomi Osaka 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4 in the Canadian Open quarterfinals in Montreal on 12 August .
Rybakina saved four break points while serving at 2-3 in the third set — the pivotal moment of the match.
Osaka broke in the opening game of the match and took the first set 6-4 before Rybakina fought back.
Rybakina sealed the win with three consecutive aces in the final game.
She faces Coco Gauff in the semifinal — only their second career meeting; the first was also in Toronto in 2022 .
Elena Rybakina staged a gritty comeback to defeat Naomi Osaka 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4 in the quarterfinals of the Canadian Open in Montreal on 12 August, advancing to the last four with a display of resilience that will be hard to forget this season.
How the Match Unfolded
Osaka seized control early, breaking Rybakina in her very first service game to set the tone for the opening set. The world No. 2 had an immediate opportunity to level, earning three break points in the next game, but Osaka held firm. Rybakina would not generate another break-point chance for the rest of the set, which Osaka claimed 6-4.
The second set was a far scrappier affair. Rybakina was broken twice in her first three service games but refused to capitulate, clawing back with two breaks of her own to force a tiebreaker. She won it 7-5, levelling the contest and shifting the psychological advantage decisively in her favour.
The Turning Point
The decisive third set produced the defining moment of the match. With Rybakina serving at 2-3 down and facing triple break point, the 27-year-old dug deep, saving four break points in total to hold. That crucial game drained Osaka's momentum entirely.
Osaka's composure visibly cracked shortly after — she kicked her racquet in frustration upon being broken to trail 3-4. Rybakina, by contrast, closed out the match in commanding fashion, firing three consecutive aces to seal the victory.
What Rybakina Said
'I was just trying to fight,' Rybakina said in her on-court interview. 'The first game of the match was really tough because it cost me the set, and then in the second I was just trying to stay closer to the score, even if I'm losing. And yeah, just fight, and I'm super happy that I won this match.'
What Comes Next
Rybakina's semifinal opponent will be Coco Gauff — a relatively unfamiliar face across the net for the Kazakhstani. The two have met just once previously on tour, a meeting that also took place in Toronto in 2022. With Rybakina in this form, the semifinal promises to be another compelling contest.
Point of View
Meanwhile, continues to show flashes of her former brilliance — the first set was controlled — but her emotional composure remains a work in progress, as the racquet kick illustrated. The Gauff semifinal will be a genuine test of whether Rybakina can maintain this level against a player with far more recent top-10 match practice.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Rybakina vs Osaka at the Canadian Open?
Elena Rybakina defeated Naomi Osaka 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4 in the Canadian Open quarterfinals in Montreal on 12 August. Rybakina came from a set down to complete the comeback victory.
Who does Rybakina play in the Canadian Open semifinal?
Rybakina will face Coco Gauff in the semifinal. The two have met just once before on tour, a match that also took place in Toronto in 2022.
What was the turning point of the Rybakina-Osaka match?
The turning point came in the third set when Rybakina, serving at 2-3 down and facing triple break point, saved four break points in total to hold. That hold swung momentum decisively and Osaka's composure began to unravel shortly after.
How did Rybakina close out the match against Osaka?
Rybakina finished the match by smashing three consecutive aces to seal the final game, winning 6-4 in the third set. It was a commanding finish after a gruelling three-set contest.
How did Naomi Osaka perform in the Canadian Open quarterfinal?
Osaka won the first set 6-4 and had opportunities in the second and third sets but was unable to convert. She visibly lost composure late in the match, kicking her racquet after being broken to trail 3-4 in the third set.
