Down 4-0, Kenin claws her way back to defeat Svitolina in Toronto

It took Sofia Kenin four games to adjust to the blustery conditions on Wednesday in Toronto, but the American found a way to adjust to oust No. 6-seeded Elina Svitolina, 7-6 (2), 6-4. With the win, Kenin punches a ticket to her first Rogers Cup semifinals.

"[Svitolina] has good hands, plays really well," said Kenin. "So I just needed to stay solid and just somehow find my rhythm because, obviously, I didn't really have my good rhythm that I wanted to. And I felt like throughout the match it just got better."

What may be most impressive about Kenin’s game is the way she was able to open up the court with her forehand to keep the Ukrainian on the run. Her use of lobs and drop shots was just as effective. Svitolina, despite her early lead, found herself out of sorts and unable to hit the right shots when needed.

Having led 4-0, 5-3 and served for the first set, Svitolina found herself on the back foot as Kenin clawed back. In the tiebreak, the 20-year-old kicked her game into high gear and assumed control.

With her newfound momentum, Kenin kept the pressure on, earning a break in the fifth game while fending off break points along the way. After an hour and 45 minutes, the unseeded American closed out the match in straight sets.

"Having these really good wins under my belt against these really tough players and top players, I think it's always good and it just gives me more confidence," said Kenin. "It's helping me to keep the rhythm going and I guess we'll see tomorrow what's going to happen."

Kenin, who is now 4-0 in quarterfinals this season, is going for her third title of the year, having won in Hobart and Mallorca. She awaits the winner of the match between Karolina Pliskova and local favorite Bianca Andreescu.