World No. 3 Iga Swiatek claimed her first Western & Southern Open crown in Cincinnati on Monday, overcoming Italy's Jasmine Paolini 7-5, 6-4 in a gripping final that showcased her resilience on hard courts. The victory marks Swiatek's 24th career singles title and ends her previous Cincinnati semifinal curse.
Paolini, ranked seventh globally, stunned early by racing to a 3-0 lead in the opening set. But Swiatek's trademark tenacity surfaced as she won five consecutive games. Though Paolini leveled at 5-5, the Polish star closed the 56-minute first set with precision. The second set saw Swiatek fire eight aces, including a crucial one at 5-3, before sealing the match despite Paolini's late resurgence.
"I'm shocked and super happy with how I've played these months," Swiatek told fans, crediting coach Wim Fissette for refining her game on faster surfaces. Her win breaks a pattern of semifinal exits at the event, including losses to 2023 champion Coco Gauff and 2024 winner Aryna Sabalenka.
Paolini, the first Italian woman to reach the Cincinnati final, continued her remarkable rise after 2023 qualifying rounds. The 28-year-old has since contested two Grand Slam singles finals, won a major doubles title, and earned Olympic gold.
With the US Open starting August 26, history favors Swiatek: Cincinnati champions have claimed the New York crown in both 2022 and 2023. The result positions Swiatek as a formidable contender for her fifth Grand Slam title.
