Iga Swiatek reached the final of the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Open for the first time on Sunday, surging past Elena Rybakina 7-5, 6-3 in a match played in sweltering summer conditions.
Poland’s Swiatek, the reigning Wimbledon champion, recovered an early break in the opening set and powered away to beat 2022 All England winner Rybakina — who had swept past world number one and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in the quarter-finals.
Swiatek, a former world number one now ranked third, had twice stalled at the semi-final stage at the pre-US Open event, but booked her title chance on her third opportunity. She will vie for the title on Monday against either seventh-seeded Italian Jasmine Paolini or Veronika Kudermetova.
A Fierce Opening Battle
The first set was a tale of momentum swings. Rybakina surged ahead with a 5–3 lead, pressuring Swiatek with her trademark aggressive baseline play and booming serve. But just when it seemed the Kazakh would take control, Swiatek turned the tide with her signature defensive skills and remarkable shot variety. She strung together four straight games, breaking Rybakina twice, and sealed the opener 7–5.
That turnaround proved pivotal. Swiatek, known for her ability to reset and elevate under pressure, found her rhythm on serve and moved with greater confidence. Rybakina, despite flashes of brilliance, struggled to regain her momentum after letting the first set slip away.
Swiatek Takes Control
In the second set, Swiatek broke early and never looked back. Her improved serving—an area she had been working on leading into the hard-court season—allowed her to dictate more points and keep Rybakina on the defensive. By mixing precise groundstrokes with sudden changes of pace, she effectively neutralized Rybakina’s powerful hitting.
Ultimately, Swiatek closed out the match 6–3, winning 10 of the last 13 games and confirming her dominance in the latter stages.
Post-Match Reflections
Speaking after the victory, Swiatek admitted the pace of the rallies tested both players:
“Sometimes we couldn’t even run to the second ball, that’s how fast it was. But I’m happy with how I stayed consistent and found solutions.”
She also credited her serve and mental toughness for getting her through tough moments:
“I feel good about my game right now and wouldn’t change anything. It’s a good place to be heading into the final.”
A Long-Awaited Breakthrough
This semifinal win marks Swiatek’s first Cincinnati final appearance, a milestone she reached on her third attempt after two previous semifinal exits. The achievement adds another layer of confidence to her already stellar 2025 season, which includes her recent Wimbledon triumph.
The victory also secured her qualification for the upcoming WTA Finals, ensuring she will compete among the elite in one of the year’s most prestigious tournaments.
The Road Ahead
Swiatek will face Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in the final. Paolini advanced by overcoming Veronika Kudermetova in a hard-fought three-set battle. The matchup promises to be intriguing—Swiatek’s consistency and shot-making against Paolini’s fighting spirit and baseline power.
Regardless of the outcome, Swiatek’s Cincinnati run underscores her adaptability across surfaces and her readiness to dominate the hard-court season. With the U.S. Open around the corner, her form sends a strong message to the rest of the field: Iga Swiatek is not slowing down.
