Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus competes in the women's singles semifinals against Iga Swiatek of Poland at the Cincinnati Open in Cincinnati, Ohio, August 18, 2024. /CFP
Aryna Sabalenka advanced to her first Cincinnati Open final with relative ease, defeating Poland's World No. 1 Iga Swiatek 6-3, 6-3 in the semifinals on Sunday.
Belarusian World No. 3 Sabalenka showcased her prowess with a fast-paced, aggressive style in her third meeting of the season with Swiatek, and first on a hard court.
"I wasn't over-rushing things. I was trusting myself a lot, and I wasn't trying to over-hit the ball," Sabalenka said. "I was just trying to stay there, put as much pressure as I can on her and I was really focused on my serve."
Despite a valiant effort to mount a late comeback, Swiatek struggled to keep up with Sabalenka's pace and precision, and was ultimately unable to close the gap.
Jessica Pegula of the USA competes in the women's singles semifinals against Paula Badosa of Spain at the Cincinnati Open in Cincinnati, Ohio, August 18, 2024. /CFP
American Jessica Pegula beat Spain's Paula Badosa 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in a much tougher second semifinal match that was briefly suspended due to rain.
For Pegula, who won the Canada Open last week, it was her ninth consecutive victory. She will now attempt to become the first woman since Evonne Goolagong in 1973 to win the Canada and Cincinnati titles in the same year.
Pegula will be competing in her fifth WTA 1000 final on Monday, while the contest will be the ninth at that level for Sabalenka.