World No. 2 Iga Świątek booked her place in the Cincinnati Open final with a commanding performance against Elena Rybakina, winning 7-5, 6-3 in a high-quality semifinal clash.
The eagerly awaited matchup between two of the tour’s biggest names lived up to its billing in the opening stages. Rybakina’s powerful serve and flat groundstrokes helped her stay toe-to-toe with Świątek, who responded with her trademark consistency and heavy topspin. At 5-5 in the first set, Świątek raised her level, breaking the Kazakh’s serve before calmly serving out the set.
With momentum on her side, Świątek took full control in the second. Her precise returning neutralized Rybakina’s biggest weapon, and she broke twice to move ahead 5-2. Although Rybakina managed to hold once more, the Pole closed the match on her next service game, sealing victory in one hour and 41 minutes.
For Świątek, the win marked yet another step toward cementing her dominance on hard courts. Already a multiple Grand Slam champion, she now has the chance to add a Cincinnati crown to her growing list of achievements.
Rybakina, meanwhile, exits the tournament after a strong run but will be left to rue missed opportunities in the tight first set. Despite the loss, her performance reaffirmed her status as one of the toughest opponents for Świątek on tour.
With the victory, Świątek advances to the Cincinnati Open final, where she will look to cap off a stellar week with her first-ever title at the event.
