Rybakina tops Osaka at NBO Toronto, Gauff advances on walkover after Bencic withdraws

An early match time didn't faze Elena Rybakina on Tuesday at the National Bank Open. Neither did a strong start by her opponent.

Rybakina came back for a 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4 win over Naomi Osaka to reach the semifinals at the WTA Tour event. The second seed from Kazakhstan broke Osaka's serve at 3-3 in the deciding set and held on for the win at Sobeys Stadium.

"It was a very difficult match," Rybakina said. "I honestly don't know how I managed to turn it around."

The match started earlier than planned after Switzerland's Belinda Bencic pulled out due to a hip injury. Fourth-seeded Coco Gauff advanced to the semifinals via walkover.

Organizers confirmed the withdrawal shortly before the evening match was set to begin on centre court.

The Rybakina-Osaka match was moved up into the time-slot and the players delivered with a back-and-forth battle that lasted two hours 33 minutes.

Rybakina played her previous matches during the day sessions and had hoped for a longer pre-match practice session to adjust to the late-day light.

"I couldn't find the feeling, it took me some time," Rybakina said.

The hard-serving six-footer will meet Gauff in the semifinals on Wednesday.

"She's a great fighter," Rybakina said. "I know it's going to be a very difficult match."

Svitolina, Swiatek make semifinals at National Bank Open

The other matchup pits ninth-seeded Elina Svitolina of Ukraine against seventh-seeded Iga Swiatek of Poland. Both players won their quarterfinal matches on Monday.

The final was scheduled for Thursday at the $7.43-million US tournament.

The 12th-seeded Bencic, who won here in 2015, played with significant taping around her left thigh in a fourth-round win over Alexandra Eala of the Philippines on Sunday.

"I am really