Aug 15 (Reuters) - Elena Rybakina powered into her first Cincinnati Open semi-final after stunning defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-1 6-4 on Friday, while five-times Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz recovered from a second-set blip to beat Andrey Rublev.

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka was eliminated from the Cincinnati Open after a 6-1, 6-4 defeat to Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals Friday. Rybakina was dominant in the opening set and served 11 aces as she wrapped up an impressive win in 1 hour,

Aryna Sabalenka's Cincinnati Open title defense is over. The World No. 1 was eliminated by Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals Aug. 15.