Breaking Through in Cincinnati
Iga Swiatek, ranked third in the world, captured her first Cincinnati Open title after defeating Italy’s Jasmine Paolini 7-5, 6-4. The victory marked a milestone for Swiatek, who had never advanced beyond the semifinals in her six previous appearances at the tournament. Her consistent determination paid off, as she finally secured the title ahead of the upcoming US Open.
Swiatek, who recently won Wimbledon, now has 24 career singles titles and 11 WTA 1000 trophies, surpassing Victoria Azarenka’s total and trailing only Serena Williams. The Polish star has maintained dominance over Paolini, winning all six of their encounters while dropping just one set.
How the Match Unfolded
The match started with Paolini taking an early 3-0 lead in the first set. Swiatek, however, rallied to swing momentum in her favor, winning five of the next six games before closing the set 7-5. The second set was a battle of serves, with Paolini breaking twice to stay close, but Swiatek’s eighth ace secured a 5-3 advantage, and she closed the match soon after.
Statistically, Swiatek’s serve was decisive. Despite committing seven double faults, her nine aces gave her the edge, while Paolini managed none. Paolini acknowledged that the difference came from Swiatek’s ability to deliver aces at crucial points.
Paolini’s Historic Run
Paolini became the first Italian woman to reach a Cincinnati Open final, marking another achievement in her rapid rise. Since playing as a qualifier in Cincinnati just two years ago, she has reached two Grand Slam singles finals, earned a Grand Slam doubles title, and claimed Olympic gold. While she fell short in the final, Paolini described her campaign as a positive step forward.
Momentum Ahead of the US Open
The Cincinnati Open is traditionally viewed as a key preparation event for the US Open, and in each of the past two years, both men’s and women’s champions in Cincinnati went on to win in New York. With Swiatek in form, expectations will be high as she enters the final Grand Slam of the year.
On the men’s side, Carlos Alcaraz was crowned champion after Jannik Sinner was forced to retire due to illness in the first set of their final.