{
  "id": 671010,
  "title": "Gauff reaches Toronto semifinals as Bencic withdraws",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/gauff-reaches-toronto-semifinals-as-bencic-withdraws",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-12T14:31:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/racquet-sports/2026/08/1509935/gauff-reaches-toronto-semifinals-bencic-withdraws"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Fourth-seeded Coco Gauff advanced to the semi-finals of the WTA Toronto Masters after 12th-seeded Belinda Bencic withdrew due to a hip injury. Gauff will now face second-seeded Elena Rybakina, who defeated 11th-seeded Naomi Osaka 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4. Bencic expressed her disappointment, stating, \"I am really sorry to not be able to compete tonight. This is an amazing tournament, and I was really looking forward to playing in front of the great fans here in Toronto.\" She attempted to prepare for the match despite her ailment, ultimately winning three matches in Toronto. Rybakina's strong performance included a 15-3 edge in aces. The source noted her comeback, mentioning a crucial moment when she turned around a 4-2 lead in the second set. Rybakina's post-match interview highlighted her determination, stating, \"I m very happy, I think in some moments you can get lucky and it s not always good to be down and chase.\" The other semi-final matchup will feature seventh-seeded Iga Swiatek of Poland against ninth-seeded Elina Svitolina of Ukraine, with Swiatek holding a 4-3 lead in their head-to-head history.",
  "summary": "TORONTO: Fourth-seeded Coco Gauff moved into the semi-finals of the WTA Toronto Masters when 12th-seeded Belinda Bencic of Switzerland withdrew on Tuesday due to a hip injury.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Rybakina beats Gauff to book Toronto title clash with Swiatek",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/rybakina-beats-gauff-to-book-toronto-title-clash-with-swiatek",
        "published": "2026-08-13T05:39:24.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}