TORONTO — Coco Gauff advanced to the semi-finals of the National Bank Open in Toronto without playing on Tuesday after Belinda Bencic withdrew from their quarter-final because of a hip injury.
Gauff, the fourth seed and world No. 4, was due to face 12th-seeded Bencic in the last eight at Sobeys Stadium. Bencic's withdrawal gave the American a place in the final four of the WTA 1000 tournament without taking to the court. The tournament is scheduled to conclude on Thursday, Aug. 13.
The walkover extended Gauff's run in Toronto after she had won her first three matches without dropping a set. The 22-year-old defeated Anastasia Potapova, Aliaksandra Sasnovich and Anna Kalinskaya's compatriot Alena Korneeva on her way to the quarter-finals, according to tournament results. Gauff entered the event seeking her first singles title of 2026.
Gauff's advancement also marked her 16th appearance in a WTA 1000 semi-final, according to Reuters. She has won two Grand Slam singles titles, including the 2023 U.S. Open, and reached the Wimbledon semi-finals earlier this year.
Her semi-final opponent was confirmed on Wednesday when second-seeded Elena Rybakina defeated 11th-seeded Naomi Osaka 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4. Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion and 2026 Australian Open winner, recovered after losing the opening set to secure the two-hour, 33-minute victory.
Gauff and Rybakina have met once previously at tour level. Gauff won their 2022 encounter in Toronto in three sets, according to the WTA.
Rybakina's victory over Osaka completed the semi-final lineup in Toronto, with Gauff and Rybakina set to meet for a place in the final. Gauff will enter the match having played one fewer match than her opponent because of Bencic's withdrawal, while Rybakina will come in after her three-set quarter-final against Osaka.
