Tennis fans have reacted with outrage to scheduling at the National Bank Canadian Open (Omnium Banque Nationale) in Montreal, as Elena Rybakina and Liudmila Samsonova will have to play their semi-final match just hours before the final against Jessica Pegula.

Rybakina and Samsonova have both had successful runs at the WTA 1000 event on the way to their semi-final match against each other. Third seed Rybakina defeated Jennifer Brady and Sloane Stephens before prevailing in a long and difficult match against tenth seed Daria Kasatkina.

Meanwhile, fifteenth-seed Samsonova has pulled off a number of surprise victories over the course of the tournament, defeating world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka before winning against twelfth-seed Belinda Bencic in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4.

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Rybakina or Samsonova set for long day at Canadian Open 

However, the two women now face an extra challenge as they prepare to play against each other in the semi-finals. Their match was postponed due to rain delays and was subsequently rescheduled for the same day as the final is due to take place.

Therefore, barring any further delays, the winner of their match will have to play two extremely important and difficult matches within a few hours of each other. In a statement, the WTA announced:

"The match is now scheduled to be played on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. The winner will face Pegula in the final, which will take place after suitable rest and not before 5:30 p.m."

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Fans express outrage on social media

Some tennis fans have taken to social media to express their outrage at this delay. Many have argued that this is not only an unreasonable expectation, but also an unfair one, as their opponent Pegula will have a day's rest before the final.

"Terrible scheduling. Completely unfair to either Samsonova or Rybakina. Total advantage to Pegula on fresh legs. Do better!" tweeted one.

"That's ridiculous. Just hand Pegula the title," commented another.

"Suitable rest is more than just a few hours between matches. The final should be played on Monday," added a third Twitter user.

Derek Brad

@DerekBradPhoto

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Replying to @WTA

That’s ridiculous. 🤣 Just hand Pegula the title

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