Rybakina Storms Past Gauff In Three Sets To Reach National Bank Open Final

Elena Rybakina produced a powerful comeback against Coco Gauff to secure her place in the National Bank Open final, overcoming the fourth-seeded American 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 in a rain-delayed semifinal that stretched close to 1 a.m.

The second-seeded Rybakina, representing Kazakhstan, was forced to recover after Gauff edged a closely contested opening set. But the 6-foot star quickly found another level, taking control of the match with her aggressive play and refusing to allow Gauff back into the contest.

Rybakina dominated the second set, winning it 6-2, before maintaining her momentum in the decider. Another 6-2 scoreline in the third set completed a commanding turnaround and sent her into the championship match.

The victory continues an impressive season for Rybakina, who has already claimed titles at the Australian Open and Stuttgart this year. Her latest win takes her career tally to 13 tournament victories.

She will now face seventh-seeded Iga Swiatek of Poland in the final.

Swiatek earned her place in the title clash by defeating ninth-seeded Elina Svitolina of Ukraine 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 in the other semifinal.

Their match was also affected by rain and began around an hour later than scheduled. Swiatek broke Svitolina's serve at love to move 5-3 ahead in the deciding set before racing to a 40-0 lead and converting her second match point.

The final sets up an intriguing battle between two of the tournament's leading contenders, with Rybakina carrying the confidence of her latest comeback and Swiatek arriving with 25 career titles.