World No. 3 Iga Swiatek lifted her maiden Cincinnati Open title on Monday night with a 7-5, 6-4 victory over seventh-ranked Jasmine Paolini.

The Polish star, who had never progressed beyond the semifinals in six previous appearances, finally broke through after falling short to eventual champions Coco Gauff in 2023 and Aryna Sabalenka in 2024.

“It means a lot to me,” Swiatek said. “I really wanted it this year. It’s nice to check off another tournament I hadn’t won. I feel comfortable here — it’s a relaxed tournament before New York.”

Paolini made a strong start, racing to a 3-0 lead in the opening set before Swiatek fought back to take a 5-3 advantage. Although Paolini leveled at 5-5, Swiatek held firm to close out the set in 56 minutes. The four-time Grand Slam champion then relied on her serve, firing her eighth ace for a 5-3 edge in the second set. Paolini broke twice to stay alive but Swiatek sealed the win to secure her 24th career singles title.

Swiatek, who now owns a perfect 6-0 record against Paolini, admitted the season had been demanding. “It hasn’t been easy, but I’m happy I could push through,” she said.

Paolini, the first Italian woman to reach a Cincinnati final, acknowledged Swiatek’s serving as the difference. “When she needed an ace, she hit it,” she said.

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The Italian, a qualifier in Cincinnati just last year, has since reached two Grand Slam finals, captured a Grand Slam doubles crown and claimed Olympic gold.

The Cincinnati Open, regarded as a key warm-up for the U.S. Open starting Sunday, has produced back-to-back men’s and women’s champions who later triumphed in New York. Earlier Monday, Carlos Alcaraz took the men’s title after Jannik Sinner retired ill during the first set.

Source: Agency