Australian Open winner Aryna Sabalenka has finally prevailed against world number one Iga Swiatek and has now placed in the final of the Cincinnati Open with Jessica Pegula.
Sabalenka, who missed Wimbledon due to a shoulder injury, had already lost two Masters finals to Polish star Swiatek in 2024.
On Sunday it was different and although Sabalenka needed 11 match points, she finally sealed the victory after an hour and 48 minutes with a superb backhand shot to secure a 6-3, 6-3 victory.
“I didn’t rush it. I trusted myself a lot and didn’t try to overturn the ball,” Sabalenka said.
“I just tried to stay there, put as much pressure on her as I could and really focus on my serve.”
With this result, the Belarusian returns to second place in the rankings, but is aiming for her first title since her second consecutive victory at the Australian Open in Monday’s final.
American Pegula denied Sabalenka the chance to face her best friend Paula Badosa after winning a close three-set match against the Spaniard.
Sixth-seeded Pegula won the first set and forced an early break in the second before Badosa, who has impressed in the second half of the season, fought back.
Rain briefly interrupted the match, but Pegula won 6:2, 3:6, 6:2 and secured her seventh meeting with Sabalenka.
For Pegula, who won the Canada Open last week, it was her ninth consecutive victory. She will now try to become the first woman since Evonne Goolagong in 1973 to win the Canadian and Cincinnati titles in the same year.
