Cincinnati, Aug. 14 -- The top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka reached one step closer to the honour of defending her Cincinnati Open title successfully, as she defeated Jessica Bouzas Maneiro on Wednesday night in their fourth-round match.

The world number one needed one hour and 20 minutes to wrap up Jessica by 6-1, 7-5 and seal a clash against Elena Rybakina.

After an easy first set, it was not easy for Sabalenka in the second one. Once leading 4-2, heading towards a straight win, Jessica bounced back to win three games on bounce to tale a 5-4 lead in the second set. She was two points away from winning the set and enforcing a decider, but Sabalenka's late comeback ended the match.

"Jessica is a great player," Sabalenka said after the match ...