Iga Swiatek downs Jasmine Paolini to claim first Cincinnati Open title

CINCINNATI – Iga Swiatek filled in a piece of her career tennis puzzle on Aug 18, as she won the Cincinnati Open for the first time with a 7-5, 6-4 defeat of Jasmine Paolini.

The final lasting for just under two hours featured 16 break-point chances, with the Polish winner converting six of 10 while Paolini struggled to make the most of her break opportunities.

The six-time Grand Slam singles champion’s 11th career win at the WTA 1000 level has left her within striking distance of the all-time record of 13 titles held by Serena Williams.

What was impressive was that Swiatek won the Cincinnati title without dropping a set. Still, she was not complacent despite her convincing triumph.

“It’s always tough in Cincy,” she told the Tennis Channel.

“This gives me a boost of confidence. I’m happy with the work we’ve been doing. (The team) had to convince me to play in a different way. I’m now happy with that process; it all feels even better after the match. I’m glad I finished in straight sets.”

The 24-year-old backed up her breakthrough Wimbledon trophy with the Midwest honours, and now heads to the last Grand Slam of the season at the US Open with a major confidence boost after the 24th title of her career.

She teamed up with Norway’s Casper Ruud in the US Open’s revamped mixed doubles on Aug 19, with result unavailable at press time. The Pole was relishing that challenge on the slower courts of Flushing Meadows, saying: “I’m a good player. I can play on any surface.

“They are slowing down the courts every year, kind of, so I’m not sure how it is now there. But tennis is all about adjusting.”

Swiatek, now ranked second, is also closing in on world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, with the lead at the top of the table to play for at the US Open when it officially begins on Aug 24.

The Pole had stalled twice at the last two Cincinnati editions at the semi-final stage and now has only the Canadian Open where she has not reached the final at a WTA 1000 event.

“Today was tough, we were both tight, but that happens in a final,” Swiatek added. “I was glad to close it out in the end.

“Not everything was perfect, but mentally I was there to play my best tennis. We did a lot of mental work. I was really composed and consistent about how I thought about my game.”

Swiatek began on the wrong foot as she lost serve to trail 0-3. But the situation was only temporary as the former world No. 1 immediately began her turnaround.

The Pole answered immediately with two breaks of serve and moved into a 5-3 lead.

But the Italian earned another break in the 10th game, saving a Swiatek set point to square the final at 5-5.

Paolini dropped serve for 5-6, giving her opponent the chance to produce a love game and claim the opener 7-5 after just under an hour on court.

The second set was a roller coaster, with the pair twice swopping breaks of serve, before Swiatek salvaged a pair of break points to lead 5-3 and then serving out the winner two games later. AFP