Cincinnati, August 18(HS):

World No.3 Iga Swiatek powered into her maiden Cincinnati Open final on Sunday, ousting Elena Rybakina 7-5, 6-3 in a high-tempo semi-final duel. The reigning Wimbledon champion clawed back from 3-5 down in the opener, reeling off four consecutive games before racing to a commanding lead in the second set.

Rybakina, fresh from eliminating top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka, resisted with patches of brilliance—saving multiple match points—but Swiatek’s relentless intensity proved decisive as she closed out victory in 1 hour 40 minutes.

Swiatek, a six-time Grand Slam winner, now advances to her 13th WTA 1000 final, where she will face Italy’s Jasmine Paolini. The 29-year-old Italian, twice a Slam finalist last season, came through a gritty three-set battle over Veronika Kudermetova 6-3, 6-7 (2), 6-3.

Swiatek holds a flawless 5-0 record against Paolini, yet acknowledged the danger her opponent poses after the Italian’s quarter-final triumph over Coco Gauff. “Anyone reaching the final is playing their best tennis,” Swiatek said.

For Paolini, victory would secure the fourth title of her career, while Swiatek eyes another confidence-boosting crown ahead of the US Open beginning August 24.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar