Coco Gauff into Toronto semis by walkover due to Bencic hip injury

World number four Coco Gauff advanced to the semifinals of the WTA Toronto Masters by walkover on Tuesday after Belinda Bencic withdrew due to a hip injury, tournament officials announced.

Gauff, a 22-year-old American, will play Thursday (Manila time) for a berth in Friday’s final against the winner of a match between four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka of Japan and world number two Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan.

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Swiss star Bencic, ranked 14th in the world at age 29, pulled out with the US Open set to start at the end of the month. Bencic has never reached a Grand Slam final.

Gauff, 6-2 all-time in WTA matches against Bencic, had beaten her this year in the fourth round at Wimbledon and the Miami quarterfinals.

Bencic made the quarters after a dominant 6-4, 6-0 win over Filipino star Alex Eala in the round of 16 on Monday.