Former world number one Iga Świątek will take on Elena Rybakina in the Cincinnati Open quarterfinals on Thursday night, only six days after both players clashed in the final in Toronto. The Polish player swept past Diane Parry 6-3, 6-3 on Wednesday, remaining unbeaten for nine matches in a row. Rybakina, meanwhile, defeated Diana Shnaider, also in straight sets. Kazakhstan's Rybakina, who is aspiring to dethrone Aryna Sabalenka from the top of the world ranking, will seek revenge after being crushed by Świątek 2-6, 3-6 in the Toronto Open final just six days earlier. Świątek and Rybakina have faced each other on multiple occasions in the WTA tour with the Pole leading 7-6 in one of the toughest rivalries among the world's top players. Putting their fierce rivalry on the court aside, both show deep respect towards the other, with Świątek calling Rybakina "a great competitor" just after defeating her in Toronto. With her first WTA 1000 title this season, Świątek, who also won the Cincinnati Open last year, has signaled that she is back in the winner's circle after a string of disappointing performances over the past months. The upcoming quarterfinal will carry significant ranking implications for both Świątek and Rybakina. Despite her superb form recently, if the Pole loses, she could even drop out of the top ten of the WTA ranking. Rybakina, on the other hand, could claim the top spot after the Cincinnati tournament if she reaches at least the final.
