It has now become clear what Elena Rybakina must do to finally dethrone Aryna Sabalenka as the new world number one.
Before the Cincinnati Open began, there were plenty of stipulations and moving parts involving this particular race, making it hard to predict exactly what would be needed.
However, it did feel inevitable that, eventually, the Belarusian would have her crown stolen.
A small window of opportunity was there in Toronto, but Aryna Sabalenka managed to stave Elena Rybakina off for at least one more tournament.
But, after this latest underperformance, things are no longer in her hands.
Elena Rybakina’s golden world number one opportunity
Sabalenka has been world number one for 96 consecutive weeks now. The prospect of her not sitting atop the WTA rankings is almost unimaginable.
Alas, aside from a few brief triumphs, this has been an underwhelming campaign for Sabalenka, having once again failed to win a Grand Slam title.
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Her chances of salvaging her season at the US Open seem increasingly unlikely too given her current form, having just been beaten by 20-year-old Sara Bejlek in just the fourth round of the Cincinnati Open.
Now, Rybakina needs only to reach the final of this event to overtake her as the world number one.
Sabalenka’s big problem was evident earlier in this event, even as she was winning. It’s therefore no surprise that it has now resulted in yet another shock loss.
Who Elena Rybakina will have to beat to overtake Aryna Sabalenka as the world number one
Whilst it might seem straightforward to suggest that Rybakina will now take advantage of this opportunity, it is not as simple as it may seem.
After all, given the nature of the draw, she will have to bypass two of the world’s very best to earn this new title.
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Next up in the quarter-finals, she is due to face Iga Swiatek, her conqueror from the Canadian Open final of earlier this week.
That alone poses a huge threat to her chances, and if she is to beat the former world number one, one of Amanda Anisimova and Jessica Pegula will await her in the semi-finals.
Although Sabalenka may have gifted Rybakina a golden opportunity, she will have to more than earn it here in Ohio.
