By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Third seed Iga Swiatek captured the Cincinnati Open title for the first time by defeating Jasmine Paolini 7-5, 6-4 on Monday night.
“I’m happy with the work we’ve been doing, happy with that process. I’m happy I won in straight sets,” she said.
“I’m a good player. I can play on any surface.”
The 24-year-old Pole was in fine form throughout the week in Ohio and did not drop a set.
She now heads to Flushing Meadows looking to claim a second US Open title in the final Grand Slam of the season, having won Wimbledon last month.
Paolini surged to a 3-0 lead before Swiatek rattled off five games in a row on her way to taking the first set.
The pair twice traded breaks in the second set but 2022 US Open winner Swiatek took the decisive break in the seventh game before serving out victory two games later.
Swiatek hit nine aces to Paolini’s none and she converted all six of her break point opportunities.
“When the rallies were going, I felt good on the court,” Paolini said. “The serves were the difference. When she needed an ace, she hit an ace.”
Swiatek has now won 11 titles at the WTA 1000 level and is two away from equalling the record held by Serena Williams.