Aryna Sabalenka is congratulated by Iga Swiatek after their match during the semifinals at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason
Sabalenka reached the final in Cincinnati for the first time with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Swiatek, ending the five-time Grand Slam winner’s 15-match winning streak and avenging losses in the finals in Madrid and Rome.
“Really happy with the win, especially against Iga, who is always a tough battle,” Sabalenka said. “To get the win in straight sets, that’s kind of an achievement for me.”
Swiatek, who’s been on top of the WTA rankings for 116 weeks, was satisfied with her week in Cincinnati.”I pretty much did better than I expected, honestly, especially on this surface,” Swiatek said. “I’m happy with the result anyway, and already focusing on what I need to do to feel even better in New York.”
The US Open begins Aug. 26. Swiatek won the title in 2022. Pegula, the No. 6 seed, beat Paula Badosa 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 after their semifinal was suspended more than an hour by rain.
She is the third American to reach the finals in Canada – where she successfully defended her title last Monday – and Cincinnati in a calendar year, the first since Serena Williams in 2013.
“We’ve had a lot of great battles in the past,” Sabalenka said. “She’s a great player. Going to be another great match.”
