Swiatek reaches Cincinnati final after edging Rybakina
Iga Swiatek, the third seed, moved into the Cincinnati Open final with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Elena Rybakina in 98 minutes. The Pole trailed at times in the opening set but seized a stretch of momentum as Rybakina faded, winning four straight games to take the first set and then cruising through the second.
Swiatek admitted it was a tough contest, noting that both players hit the ball with pace early on. “That was a tough match,” she said. “At the beginning the level was pretty crazy. We played so fast that sometimes we couldn’t even run to the second ball. But I was there to play with intensity and good quality and I am super happy with the performance. I served much better, so for sure it helped and I wouldn’t change anything.”
Swiatek will face Jasmine Paolini in the final after the Italian seventh seed defeated Veronika Kudermetova 6-3, 6-7 (2), 6-3. Paolini had a moment in the second set, briefly serving for the match, before Kudermetova turned the period into a deciding set, which Paolini ultimately won.
In the first semi-final, Rybakina had a 5-3 lead in the opening set thanks to a cross-court forehand winner, but Swiatek steadied herself, attacking Rybakina’s serve to level the set at 5-5. Swiatek then held serve and broke again to clinch the set. In the second set, Rybakina faced renewed pressure, and Swiatek pulled away to seal the win on her serve after a late backhand error from Rybakina.
Rybakina, who had earlier defeated world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, was seeking a repeat of that form in the later stages of Cincinnati but was undone by Swiatek’s steadier serving and aggressive returning.
As the final approaches, Swiatek stands as the favorite to capture another title on a hard-court week that serves as a strong tune-up for the US Open. The Polish star has not dropped a set in Cincinnati this year and will aim to continue her dominant run against Paolini, against whom she is unbeaten in their prior meetings.
Swiatek’s momentum adds a positive note heading into the final, underscoring her readiness for a late-summer push. Paolini, meanwhile, has shown resilience in a tightly contested semi-final and will look to translate that energy into a potential upset in the championship match.
Key takeaways
– Swiatek beat Rybakina 7-5, 6-3 to reach the Cincinnati final.
– Paolini defeated Kudermetova 6-3, 6-7 (2), 6-3 to reach the final.
– Swiatek has not lost a set in Cincinnati this year and is aiming for another title ahead of the US Open.
– The final will pit Swiatek against Paolini, with Paolini seeking to cap a strong week on the faster hard courts.
Summary: Swiatek’s win over Rybakina sets up a final against Paolini, who overcame Kudermetova in three sets. If Swiatek maintains her Cincinnati form, she’ll head to the US Open as a strong contender and a hopeful sign for a continued run of success this season.