Tempers flared throughout Friday's Italian Open semi-final between Elena Rybakina and Jelena Ostapenko. The Latvian world No 20 was claimed to have referred to as Rybakina a 'b***h' in Rome through the rain delay earlier than the pair shared a frosty handshake on the web after the match.

Rybakina, who will breach the highest 5 of the WTA rankings forward of the French Open, reached her third Masters ultimate of 2023 by beating Ostapenko 6-2, 6-4 in an hour and 33 minutes.

Ostapenko's outspoken nature appeared to get the higher of her through the rain-disrupted battle on Centre Court. She needed to play within the heavy rain whereas Rybakina referred to as for a delay.

As the 2 gamers headed inside through the second set rain delay, microphones picked up Rybakina's coach, Stefano Vukov, claiming Ostapenko had verbally abused her.

He mentioned from the stands: "She told her you're a b***h in front of me right now. And I say, listen, after we talk."

Rybakina seemed puzzled by the remark however let her tennis do the speaking and made her emotions clear after a tense post-match handshake.

The 23-year-old Kazakh exchanged phrases with Ostapenko as they crossed paths off-court earlier than she pointed on the umpire as if she needed him to talk along with her allegedly foul-mouthed opponent.

But whereas talking to the media after her victory, Rybakina was solely concerned about discussing her efficiency forward of Saturday's ultimate in opposition to Ukraine's Anhelina Kalinina.

She mentioned: "No, I think, of course, I'm more consistent. There are still a lot of things to improve. But, yeah, I'm happy that physically I can maintain and stay so long in the tournament till the end.

"I feel it is simply general all of the years of expertise and likewise adapting. Like I do know the locations the place I'm going, so it is just a little bit simpler. Also, preparation with the staff. The staff is greater this 12 months, particularly.

"I have a fitness coach with me in a lot of tournaments. Physios and coaches are always with me. Yeah, I think it's always just good work which we did."

Whether the in-depth particulars of Rybakina's verbal row with Ostapenko emerge stays to be seen.

But if Vukov heard appropriately, and if what cameras picked up is any indication, the subsequent time they take to the court docket collectively may get fascinating.