Aryna Sabalenka routes World No. 1 Iga Swiatek to advance to Cincinnati Open finals

Posted by Admin August 18, 2024 Tennis

MASON, Ohio − World No. 3 Aryna Sabalenka finally broke through Sunday afternoon at the Lindner Family Tennis Center.

After three previous semifinal exits in Mason, Sabalenka knocked out World No. 1 Iga Swiatek, 6-3, 6-3, to reach her first Cincinnati Open finals.

“Sounds like I broke the wall, finally,” Sabalenka said in her on-court interview.

Sabalenka had only beaten Swiatek three times in 11 previous matchups, but the hard-hitting Belarussian was sharp throughout the match, landing five aces and winning 55% of second-serve points while holding Swiatek to just 22%.

“When someone leads against you 8-3, you kind of feel like, ‘okay, I gotta keep it interesting. I gotta get my win,” Sabalenka said. “I think it was a brilliant performance from me.”

Sabalenka, who will pass Coco Gauff for the No. 2 spot on the WTA leaderboard after this tournament, now has five career victories over a No. 1 opponent and Sunday marked the ninth time she’s advanced to a WTA 1000-level final.

The World No. 1 did not go down quietly, though. Trailing 5-1 in the second set, Swaitek saved seven match points before taking the game.

It took until the 10th match point for Sabalenka to notch a backhanded winner and give Swiatek just her fourth straight-set loss of the year.

“I played much better than I expected, honestly, especially on this surface,” Swiatek said. “I’m happy with the result anyway, and already kind of focusing on what I need to do to feel even better in New York.”

Sabalenka has not dropped a set this week in Mason, winning 49 of 74 total games. After losing in the finals to Swiatek at two previous 1000-level tour stops this year (Rome and Madrid), Sabalenka is bidding for her first singles title since defending her Australian Open crown in January.

Sabalenka will face either Jessica Pegula or Paula Badosa for the Rookwood Cup on Monday.

The Enquirer will update this story.