Cincinnati : Swiatek wins her 11th WTA 1000 title against Paolini
The Pole will rise back to the world No 2 spot for the first time in months.
Iga Swiatek, Cincinnati 2025 | © Wally Nell/ZUMA Press Wire/SIPA
Pole Iga Swiatek, the No 3 seed, beat Italian Jasmine Paolini, the No 7 seed, 7-5, 6-4 to lift the Cincinnati Open trophy at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on Monday night.
The Polish star ultimately prevailed after a highly-competitive 1 hour and 45 minutes on court.
It’s her maiden Cincinnati Open crown after six previous appearances without ever reaching the showpiece match, her 24th WTA title and her 11th WTA 1000 trophy. Only Serena Williams (13) has more trophies than her.
Paolini, bidding for her own breakthrough, started strong and raced to a 3-0 lead in the opening set. Swiatek responded with trademark resilience, a little like she did in semis against the No 9 seed (7-5, 6-3), reeling off crucial games to edge a tight first set and maintain momentum in the second..
Swiatek struck nine aces, overcame seven double faults, and converted on all six break point opportunities to keep Paolini at bay, extending her unbeaten record against the Italian to 6-0.
Monday’s result means that the six-time Grand Slam champion rises back up to the world No 2 spot for the first time in months. The gap between her and world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka is nearly 3300 ranking points, but the Cincinnati triumph means that Swiatek will avoid facing the Belarusian before the final at the upcoming US Open.
Swiatek ‘surprised’ by recent level and triumphs
“I’m shocked and super happy with the way I have played over the last few months,” admitted the Pole, during her post-match interview.
“I don’t know why I won tournaments that were like the last ones in terms of where I thought I would be playing well.
“So thank you [coach Wim Fissette] for forcing me to become a better player and learning how to play on these faster surfaces. Thank you for the constant support to my team and my family back home.
“Also, thanks to the fans in Cincinnati. I know this tournament is a really big deal for this city. I also have friends here who tell me. I’m super happy that the tournament is staying here and it is a great atmosphere.
“It’s not easy to be a tennis player sometimes, but the way they have improved the facilities here is amazing and we will all look forward to coming back next year.”
With the victory, Swiatek becomes the first Polish player to win the Cincinnati Open singles title, bolstering her credentials on fast courts ahead of the upcoming US Open, which she won in 2022.
