Daijiworld Media Network - Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Aug 18: Iga Swiatek marched into the final of the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Open for the first time on Sunday, defeating Elena Rybakina 7-5, 6-3 to set up a title clash with Italy’s Jasmine Paolini.
The six-time Grand Slam champion from Poland, currently ranked world number three, will contest her 13th WTA 1000 final as she aims for a strong prelude to the US Open starting August 24. Swiatek, who had fallen twice in the semi-finals here, broke through on her third attempt to seal her maiden Cincinnati final appearance.
Recovering from 3-5 down in the first set, the reigning Wimbledon champion swept four games in a row before powering to a 4-1 lead in the second. Despite Rybakina’s resistance — saving three break points and two match points — Swiatek kept her composure to close out the match.
“It was a great match, played at a very fast pace. I wanted to be there when Elena started making mistakes, and I feel good about my game right now,” Swiatek said.
The Polish star has beaten Paolini in all five of their past meetings, dropping just one set. Yet, she expects a strong fight from the Italian, who stunned world number two Coco Gauff in the quarter-finals.
Paolini, 29, reached the final after edging Veronika Kudermetova 6-3, 6-7 (2), 6-3. “The key was to forget mistakes, stay in the present, and keep going,” she said.
Swiatek, who ended a trophy drought with her Wimbledon triumph last month, is eyeing another title to boost her momentum ahead of Flushing Meadows.