Iga Swiatek's deadly game overpowers Rybakina and advances to the final of Cincinnati

Third time was the charm for Iga Swiatek, who after two consecutive years in the semifinals, reaches her first WTA Cincinnati final. She does it by displaying intense, fast tennis with a very effective first serve, maintaining her Wimbledon form and emerging as a clear title contender at the US Open. This was evident in her match against Elena Rybakina, who came in strong but was eventually controlled by the Polish player, with Swiatek winning 7-5, 6-3 to secure her spot in the final, where she awaits either Jasmine Paolini or Veronika Kudermetova.

In the first women's semifinal of the day in Cincinnati, Swiatek and Rybakina faced each other under scorching sun. These two players, who were both on the WTA rankings' podium two years ago, have had a very irregular 2024 and a shaky start to 2025.

However, the Polish player resurged at WimbledonStefano Vukov, a ban that has now been lifted, seems to have rediscovered her form. For months, the 2022 Wimbledon champion seemed unsure, but she has reached the semifinals of all tournaments in this North American hardcourt swing (Washington, Montreal, and Cincinnati).

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Rybakina, a rocket of ups and downs

The match started with both players strong on serve, which has been the main weapon for all players in this tournament, and neither gave away much in the closely contested beginning. However, the Kazakh player capitalized on a weak service game from the Polish player to hit two great returns, coupled with a double fault from the world number three, leading to a crucial break.

Rybakina was a powerhouse with her serve, and her forehand was devastating during rallies. Despite this reliable play, Swiatek's determination and intensity paid off. Just when the WTA ranking number 10 was serving for the set, the match leveled (5-5).

The opportunity missed by the Kazakh player backfired, while the Polish player seized the moment to clinch the first set (7-5). Her legs started moving, Rybakina's serve faltered; Swiatek took control, moving her opponent around and turning solid tennis into a sudden collapse.

Swiatek shifted into all-terrain mode

The damage was done, and the Polish player's game kept improving. She suffocated Rybakina in every return game, dominating with an iron grip on her serve, which was effective for most of the match. The longer the rallies went, the more likely the Polish player was to win the point.

In this scenario, breaks, hard to come by in the first set, came quickly in the second set, and the world number three established a commanding 4-1 lead. With one foot in her first Cincinnati final, she even had three break points to secure the second consecutive break of Rybakina's serve, but she eased up, giving the world number ten an opportunity to fight back.

Not only did Rybakina hold her serve, but she also earned two break points to level the set and keep the semifinal alive. However, she rushed and Swiatek fought with determination to navigate a tough situation.

That seventh game of the second set decided the match. From a potential 4-3 and Rybakina's serve, it shifted to 5-2. Once the scare was overcome, Swiatek closed out a closely contested match (7-5, 6-3) due to the high level of play from both players. The Polish player's speed and intensity, rediscovered at Wimbledon, make her a strong contender not only for the Cincinnati title, where she will compete in the final against Paolini or Kudermetova, but also for the last Grand Slam of the season in New York.
 

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Una Swiatek letal diluye a Rybakina y se mete en la final de Cincinnati