World No. 2 Iga Świątek clinched her maiden Cincinnati Open title on Sunday, defeating Italy’s Jasmine Paolini 7-5, 6-4 in a gripping final that underlined her dominance on the WTA Tour.
The championship clash began with both players trading heavy baseline blows, Paolini using her speed and counterpunching to keep pace with Świątek’s relentless aggression. The Italian even earned an early break opportunity, but the Polish star responded with characteristic composure. At 5-5 in the opening set, Świątek stepped up her return game, breaking serve before sealing the set with a confident hold.
The second set followed a similar pattern, with Paolini pushing Świątek into extended rallies and refusing to go away quietly. But every time the Italian threatened to shift momentum, the four-time Grand Slam champion found an extra gear. A crucial break midway through the set proved decisive, and Świątek closed out the match in one hour and 47 minutes.
For Świątek, the victory adds another prestigious trophy to her growing collection and further solidifies her reputation as one of the sport’s most consistent and formidable champions. It also marks her first title in Cincinnati, a milestone she had been chasing in recent seasons.
Paolini, meanwhile, leaves with her head held high. Despite the loss, the 28-year-old’s spirited run to the final — which included a gritty semifinal win over Veronika Kudermetova — confirmed her rise as a genuine top-tier contender on the WTA circuit.
Świątek’s triumph sets the tone for the upcoming US Open, where she will once again be among the leading favorites to lift the trophy.
