Sabalenka eliminates Swiatek, advances to Cincinnati final

In a historic first, Aryna Sabalenka defeated Iga Swiatek in straight sets, 6-3 6-3, in their 12th career meeting. Sabalenka advances to the Cincinnati Open final, where she will face Jessica Pegula, who is currently on a nine-match winning streak.

After losing to Swiatek in the finals of Madrid and Rome earlier in 2024, Sabalenka finally secured her first straight-set victory over the world No. 1.

Sabalenka took control in the first set with a crucial break in the sixth game and closed it out with a love hold. In the second set, she built a 5-1 lead but faced difficulty in converting nine match points before ultimately clinching the victory on her tenth match point during Swiatek’s serve.

Next up, Sabalenka will face sixth seed Jessica Pegula in the Cincinnati Open final. Pegula advanced by defeating Paula Badosa 6-2 3-6 6-3 and will look to continue her winning streak after triumphing at the Canadian Open.