Tennis
Rybakina Reaches Ningbo Quarterfinals After Kudermetova Retires
Rybakina led 5–0 when Kudermetova stopped after 30 minutes. She next faces Katarzyna Kawa, who upset Belinda Bencic.
Elena Rybakina advanced to the Ningbo quarterfinals Thursday after Polina Kudermetova retired while trailing 5–0 in the opening set. The match lasted 30 minutes, leaving the defending champion to face Katarzyna Kawa next.
Kudermetova called for the physio at 3–0 and tried to continue before stopping two games later, according to the WTA’s match report. Rybakina wished her a speedy recovery in the on-court interview. The report did not identify a diagnosis.
Kawa earned her place by upsetting fifth seed Belinda Bencic 7–5, 6–2 in 1 hour, 43 minutes earlier Thursday. The 33-year-old Pole, ranked No. 128, recorded her first victory over a Top 20 opponent against the 14th-ranked Bencic.
Kawa hit 31 winners and converted five of 15 break points. Her meeting with the world No. 1 will be their first on the WTA Tour.
Elsewhere in the draw, Diana Shnaider beat Alexandra Eala 7–5, 6–4 and will face Iva Jovic, who reached the quarterfinals by beating Jasmine Paolini. Shnaider needed seven match points to finish her second-round win.
