Sabalenka keeps No. 1 as Rybakina retires in Cincinnati

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka remains atop the WTA rankings after Elena Rybakina's injury withdrawal in Cincinnati, but the Belarusian's recent form has raised doubts ahead of the US Open. Sabalenka will keep the No. 1 spot with 8,575 points, just 434 ahead of Rybakina, who retired from her quarterfinal against Iga Swiatek due to an ankle injury Source: El Tiempo. Rybakina needed to reach the final to overtake Sabalenka, who had been eliminated earlier by Sara Bejlek Source: infobae.

Sabalenka's slump

Sabalenka's 7-6 (7), 6-4 loss to 20-year-old Bejlek, ranked 35th, was her seventh defeat in seven tournaments since winning Miami in March Source: infobae. She has not reached a final since then, with her best result a semifinal in Berlin Source: emolcl. The loss followed a pattern of squandered leads: she led 5-1 in the first-set tiebreak and 4-1 in the second set before losing five straight games Source: excelsiormx.

Rybakina's setback

Rybakina, who had a chance to claim the top ranking, retired after 31 minutes against Swiatek, trailing 4-1 Source: infobae. Swiatek, who beat Rybakina in the Toronto final last week, advanced to the semifinals and will face Jessica Pegula Source: El Tiempo.

What's next

Sabalenka will defend her US Open title starting August 30, where she must defend 2,000 points Source: El Tiempo. Rybakina's fitness remains uncertain, but she will have another chance to become No. 1 in New York Source: infobae.