Elena Rybakina is through to the semifinals of the Italian Open after defending champion and world number one Iga Swiatek retires in the third set 2-6, 7-6, 2-2 (ret).
Swiatek seemed heads for a straight sets victory, firing from all cylinders and secured the first set 6-2. In the second, Rybakina claws her way back with the set going to a tiebreak.
There were some unusual moments in the match including a phone call Swiatek received during the match.
However, during the tail end of the second set, this happened
Swiatek called for a quick medical time out prior to the start of the third set and seemed ready to take this match to the distance. But with the score tied at 2-2, she decided to retire from the match.
Rybakina will next face former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko in the semifinals.
