WTA Iga Swiatek jessica pegula WTA Cincinnati 2026

Pegula ends Swiatek's reign in Cincinnati after a spectacular match and advances to the grand final

Andrés Tomás Rico - 23 Aug 2026
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Pegula ends Swiatek's reign in Cincinnati after an epic match and advances to the final. Photo: Gettyimages

After two hours and 50 minutes, Jessica Pegula showed why she is the number three in the world and one of the most dangerous and consistent players on hardcourt. The American, following the defeats of Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina, was the favorite for the title at the WTA 1000 Cincinnati and so far she hasn't disappointed after defeating the defending champion, Iga Swiatek, in an epic clash by 7-5, 4-6, 6-4.

Jessica Pegula claims five consecutive victories on hardcourt against Iga Swiatek

It was a very intense match with high-level play from both the American and the Pole. Most games reached deuce, showcasing maximum equality. In fact, in the first five games of the match, breaks occurred and until the sixth game neither won a game on their serve. Once the waters calmed, the first set was heading to a tie-break, but it was then that Pegula made the first breakthrough to take the opening set by 7-5.

Swiatek realized that she had to raise her level to even compete against the great version of the American. She had several break points, but it was in the sixth game that she gained the necessary advantage to later close the second set by 6-4.

The final battle remained, and both engaged in a duel that followed the trend of the rest of the match: maximum equality. It seemed that Swiatek would take the match when she went 3-1 up and serving for 4-1, but Pegula bounced back and gradually turned the score around, sapping the Pole's morale, ultimately winning the match by 7-5, 4-6, 6-4.

Jessica Pegula is the first finalist of the WTA 1000 Cincinnati and awaits the winner of the match between Coco Gauff and Sara Bejlek. Whoever her opponent is, she already knows what awaits her: an unparalleled battle.

 

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Pegula termina con el reinado de Swiatek en Cincinnati tras un partidazo y se mete en la gran final