Cincinnati Tennis Tournament: Aryna Sabalenka overpowers Iga Świątek, securing a spot against Jessica Pegula in the final round.
For the first time this season, Sabalenka managed to defeat Swiatek in straight sets, marking her first victory over the world number 1 after two WTA 1000 final losses. According to the WTA, Sabalenka stated, "I wasn't rushing things. I had faith in myself and I wasn't aiming to smash the ball. I was simply trying to stay in the game, putting as much pressure as I could on her, and I was really focused on my serve." She further mentioned, "When someone is ahead of you 8-3, you sort of think: 'I gotta keep it engaging,' so I wanted this win desperately to make our matches entertaining for the audience."
Now in her fifth final of the year, Sabalenka aims to secure her second title following her Australian Open defense in January. Previously, she had never reached the final in Cincinnati, and with this victory, she will move up the rankings to the second spot in the world.
Pegula hunts down historical achievement
Pegula, on the other hand, has the opportunity to become the first woman since Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1973 to capture both the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open titles in a single season.
To achieve this, the American overcame a revitalized Badosa 6-2 3-6 6-3 in a rain-delayed encounter on Sunday, securing her ninth consecutive win following her triumph in Montreal last week.
After enduring a significant portion of the season with injuries, Pegula has found exceptional form at a crucial moment, with the US Open commencing on August 26th.
Pegula revealed, "I'm feeling physically great now after reaching back-to-back finals so close together." She added, "I got some extra sleep this time around, which helps. The body actually feels fantastic, which is excellent. All I need now is a bit more rest!" She further expressed, "After the final tomorrow, I'll have a week to catch up on sleep."
Sabalenka's victory over Swiatek in straight sets also showcased her skill in tennis, as she displayed excellent serve pressure throughout the match. Pegula, aiming for historical achievement, will need to bring her tennis A-game to both the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open finals to follow in Goolagong Cawley's footsteps.
