World No. 3 Iga Swiatek delivered another statement performance on Sunday, overpowering Elena Rybakina in straight sets to book her place in the Cincinnati Open final. The Polish star prevailed 7-5, 6-3, sealing her first-ever appearance in the tournament’s showpiece match.
Her opponent? None other than Jasmine Paolini, setting up a tantalizing rematch of last year’s French Open final, where Swiatek dominated to lift her fourth Roland Garros crown.
Swiatek Surges Past Rybakina
Fresh off a Wimbledon title run, Swiatek showed why she’s regarded as one of the fiercest competitors on the tour. Rybakina, who had stunned world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the quarterfinals, came out swinging and even grabbed an early break. But Swiatek quickly steadied, finding her rhythm and dictating the rallies with relentless baseline pressure.
“That was a tough match,” Swiatek admitted afterward. “At the beginning it was pretty crazy — we played so fast that sometimes we couldn’t even reach the second ball. But I stayed intense and focused on quality, and I’m really happy with how I handled it.”
Paolini Battles Through in Three Sets
On the other side of the draw, Italy’s Jasmine Paolini endured a rollercoaster semifinal against Veronika Kudermetova. After taking the opening set 6-3, Paolini faltered when serving for the match in the second, allowing Kudermetova to force a tiebreak. But despite the setback — and Kudermetova’s staggering 75 unforced errors — Paolini regrouped to claim the decider 6-3.
The 28-year-old Italian has enjoyed a breakout season, and Monday night’s final marks another chance to test herself against the sport’s most dominant force.
A Final With High Stakes
With Swiatek’s consistency and Paolini’s grit, the Cincinnati final promises both power and drama. For Swiatek, it’s a shot at adding another prestigious trophy to her collection and reinforcing her status as the game’s most reliable closer. For Paolini, it’s a chance at redemption — and perhaps, a career-defining victory.