Aryna Sabalenka downs Iga Swiatek to reach Cincinnati Open final
Women's singles number three seed Aryna Sabalenka downed top seed Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals of the 2024 Cincinnati Open on Sunday, August 18. Sabalenka progressed to the final after beating the 2024 Paris Olympics bronze medalist in straight sets. Swiatek, who marked her first tournament since 2024 Paris, lost the contest 3-6, 3-6. This is Sabalenka's 3rd tournament this month. Here's more.
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Match stats and H2H record
Sabalenka doled out five aces compared to Swiatek's one. The latter committed three double faults with Sabalenka committing one. Sabalenka had a 66% win on the first serve and a 57% win on the second. Swiatek won just 22% of her second serve. Sabalenka converted 5/15 break points. In terms of the head-to-head meetings on the WTA Tour, Sabalenka trails Swiatek 4-8.
Sabalenka is chasing her second title this season
Sabalenka has beaten the likes of Elisabetta Cocciaretto, Elina Svitolina, Liudmila Samsonova and now Swiatek to reach her maiden Cincinnati Open final. She is now 38-11 on the WTA Tour this season. Sabalenka will be vying for her second title this season, having won the Australian Open earlier. Earlier this month, she reached the semis at Citi Open and quarters at the Canadian Open.
Sabalenka attains this feat
As per Opta, Sabalenka is the player with the most WTA level finals reached since her debut on Tour in 2017. This is now her 29th final. Swiatek is next with 26 finals.
Sabalenka makes these records
Sabalenka has recorded the joint-most WTA level finals made 2024, excluding team events (five). She has now equalled Swiatek and Elena Rybakina (5 finals each). Meanwhile, the Belarusian has become the player with the most wins against the World No. 1 in WTA-1000 events since the format's introduction in 2009 (four). She has gone level with Petra Kvitova.
Swiatek is 56-7 in 2024
With this defeat, Swiatek is now 56-7 in 2024. She has won five titles this season, including the French Open. Before this, Swiatek won the bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Swiatek beat Anna Karolina Schmiedlova of Slovakia 6-2, 6-1 on Court Philippe-Chatrier at Roland Garros. The Polish international will now lay her focus on the upcoming US Open.
