Iga Swiatek continued her impressive run of form by booking a place in her first-ever Cincinnati Open final with a straight-sets victory over Elena Rybakina. The world No. 3 overcame a shaky start to record a battling 7-5, 6-3 triumph in a match that lasted just under 100 minutes.
The Polish star was tested in the opening stages as Rybakina struck first with a break and built a 5-3 lead in the opening set. However, Swiatek responded with resilience, breaking back and reeling off four consecutive games to flip the contest in her favor. A mistimed backhand from Rybakina handed Swiatek the first set, and from there the momentum shifted decisively.
In the second set, Swiatek capitalized on another dip in her opponent’s consistency, breaking early to establish a 3-1 lead. Though Rybakina attempted to mount a comeback, Swiatek held her ground with sharp serving and composed shot selection. Saving two break points at 3-2 proved crucial, and she eventually sealed the win when Rybakina pushed a forehand return long.
Swiatek praised the intensity of the encounter, noting how fast-paced the exchanges were. Her improved serving played a pivotal role, allowing her to dictate key moments and close out the match on her own terms. The victory keeps her perfect record in Cincinnati intact, as she has yet to drop a set in this year’s tournament.
Awaiting her in the final is Italy’s Jasmine Paolini, the seventh seed, who overcame Veronika Kudermetova in a three-set thriller. Paolini had the chance to serve out the match in the second set but faltered, allowing Kudermetova to force a decider. However, the Italian regrouped strongly to secure a 6-3, 6-7 (2), 6-3 victory, with Kudermetova’s 75 unforced errors proving costly.
Swiatek will enter the championship match as the overwhelming favorite. She holds a 5-0 career record against Paolini, including a commanding win in last year’s French Open final. With Wimbledon already secured earlier this summer, Swiatek has the chance to claim her second title in her last three tournaments, providing her with perfect momentum heading into the US Open.
Confident yet grounded, Swiatek emphasized her focus remains on executing her game plan and maintaining her recent progress. For Paolini, the final presents both a formidable challenge and an opportunity to upset one of the game’s most dominant forces.
