CINCINNATI (AP) \u2014 Third-ranked Iga Swiatek captured the Cincinnati Open title for the first time by defeating No. 7 Jasmine Paolini 7-5, 6-4 on Monday night.<\/p>\n
Swiatek had failed to advance past the semifinals in her six previous appearances at the Cincinnati Open. She reached the semifinals in Cincinnati each of the past two years, but lost to eventual champions Coco Gauff in 2023 and Aryna Sabalenka in 2024.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt means a lot to me,\u201d Swiatek said. \u201cThis year I really wanted it. I\u2019m just very happy. It\u2019s nice to check off the list another tournament that I haven\u2019t won. I have friends here. It\u2019s a nice, relaxed tournament before New York.\u201d <\/p>\n
Swiatek has won all six meetings against the Italian, dropping only one set in those matches. <\/p>\n
Paolini jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first set but Swiatek roared back to go ahead 5-3. Paolini broke serve to get even at 5-5, but Swiatek closed out a first-set victory in 56 minutes. <\/p>\n
Swiatek\u2019s eighth ace of the match gave her a 5-3 lead in the second set. Paolini broke serve twice in the second set and was within 5-4, but Swiatek was able to serve out the match for her 24th career singles title. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis season hasn\u2019t been easy,\u201d Swiatek said. \u201cI\u2019ve had areas to improve. It\u2019s not easy to win tournaments when everyone is expecting you to.\u201d <\/p>\n
Swiatek had seven double faults to two for Paolini. But she also had nine aces, while Paolini had none. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhen the rallies were going, I felt good on the court,\u201d Paolini said. \u201cThe serves were the difference. When she needed an ace, she hit an ace.\u201d <\/p>\n
Paolini is the first Italian woman to reach the finals in Cincinnati. Since she was a qualifier at the Cincinnati Open in 2023, Paolini has reached two Grand Slam singles finals, won a Grand Slam doubles title and an Olympic gold medal.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was definitely a positive tournament for me,\u201d Paolini said. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t enough, of course. I just need to improve.\u201d <\/p>\n
The Cincinnati Open is considered a tuneup for the U.S. Open<\/a>, which begins Sunday in New York. The last two years, both the men\u2019s and women\u2019s Cincinnati Open champions went on to win the final Grand Slam tournament of the year. <\/p>\n Carlos Alcaraz won the men\u2019s final<\/a> earlier Monday when Jannik Sinner retired due to illness during the first set. <\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n