World No. 3 Iga Swiatek captured her first Cincinnati Open title on Monday night, defeating Italy’s Jasmine Paolini 7-5, 6-4. The victory ends Swiatek’s run of six unsuccessful attempts at the tournament, where she had never advanced beyond the semifinals. With the US Open beginning this week, the win provides crucial momentum for the Polish star.
Road to Victory
Swiatek faced a tough start in the final, falling behind 0-3 in the opening set. However, she responded with five straight games before closing out the set in 56 minutes. In the second set, Swiatek’s serving proved decisive, as she fired nine aces compared to none from Paolini. Despite seven double faults, her ability to hit key serves under pressure carried her to victory.
Career Milestone
The Cincinnati triumph marks Swiatek’s 24th career singles title and her 11th at the WTA 1000 level. That achievement moves her past Victoria Azarenka for the second-most WTA 1000 titles since the tier was introduced in 2009, trailing only Serena Williams with 13. The win also adds to a strong season for Swiatek, who claimed her first Wimbledon crown in July despite an inconsistent start to 2025.
Paolini’s Breakthrough
Although she fell short in the final, Jasmine Paolini made history as the first Italian woman to reach the Cincinnati Open final. Her rapid rise has been remarkable: since entering the tournament as a qualifier in 2023, she has reached two Grand Slam singles finals, won a Grand Slam doubles title, and captured Olympic gold. “It was definitely a positive tournament for me,” Paolini reflected, acknowledging she still has areas to improve.
Looking Ahead to the US Open
The Cincinnati Open is considered a key tuneup event for the US Open, which begins Sunday in New York. In the past two years, the women’s and men’s Cincinnati champions have gone on to win the year’s final Grand Slam. Carlos Alcaraz secured the men’s title earlier Monday after Jannik Sinner retired due to illness. With her latest victory, Swiatek enters New York as one of the top contenders.
Swiatek’s Cincinnati breakthrough highlights her resilience and ability to adapt under pressure, solidifying her status among the sport’s elite. For Paolini, the final reinforces her place as a rising star in women’s tennis. With both players heading to New York, all eyes will now turn to the US Open to see if Cincinnati’s winners can extend their momentum onto the Grand Slam stage.
