CINCINNATI – Iga Swiatek completed a new milestone in her career, capturing her first ATP-WTA Cincinnati Open title with a 7-5, 6-4 victory over Jasmine Paolini, while Carlos Alcaraz claimed the men’s crown after defending champion Jannik Sinner retired due to illness in the opening set.
The women final lasting for just under two hours featured 16 break-point chances, with the Polish winner converting on six of 10 while Paolini struggled to make the most of her break opportunities.
The six-time Grand Slam singles champion’s 11th career win at the WTA 1000 level has left her within striking distance of the all-time record of 13 titles held by Serena Williams. Swiatek won the Cincinnati without dropping a set.
“It’s always tough in Cincy,” Swiatek told the Tennis Channel after her maiden win in Cincinnati.
“This gives me a boost of confidence. I’m happy with the work we’ve been doing. (The team) had to convince me to play in a different way. I’m now happy with that process; it all feels even better after the match. I’m glad I finished in straight sets,” Swiatek added according to AFP.
The 24-year-old backed up her breakthrough Wimbledon trophy with the Midwest honours and now heads to the last Grand Slam of the season at the US Open with a major confidence boost after the 24th title of her career.
Swiatek is due to partner Norway’s Casper Ruud in the US Open’s revamped mixed doubles starting on Tuesday.
The Pole said she is relishing that challenge on the slower courts of Flushing Meadows. “I’m a good player. I can play on any surface,” she said.
“They are slowing down the courts every year, kind of, so I’m not sure how it is now there. But tennis is all about adjusting.”
Swiatek also climbed to within 500 points of current WTA No 1 Aryna Sabalenka, with the lead at the top of the table likely to be in play at the Open when it begins.
Swiatek had stalled twice at the last two editions at the semifinal stage and now has only the Canadian tournament where she has not reached the final at a 1000 event.
“The match was tough, we were both tight, but that happens in a final,” Swiatek said. “I was glad to close it out in the end.
“Not everything was perfect, but mentally I was there to play my best tennis. We did a lot of mental work. I was really composed and consistent about how I thought about my game.”
Swiatek began on the wrong foot as she lost serve to trail 0-3. But the situation was only temporary as the former No 1 immediately began her turnaround.
The Pole answered immediately with two breaks of serve and moved to a 5-3 lead
But Paolini earned another break in the 10th game, saving a Swiatek set point to square the final at five-all.
Paolini dropped serve for 5-6, giving her opponent the chance to produce a love game and claim the opener 7-5 after just under an hour on court.
The second set was a roller coaster, with the pair twice swapping breaks of serve before Swiatek salvaged a pair of break points to lead 5-3 and then serving out the winner two games later.
Ailing world No 1 Sinner threw in the towel after Alcaraz roared into a 5-0 first set lead. The men’s showdown was the fourth time Alcaraz and Sinner have met in a final this season.
The Italian is due to take part in the US Open’s revamped mixed doubles on Tuesday, but his participation in that draw is now in doubt.
“I’m super-super sorry to disappoint you,” Sinner said at the trophy ceremony to fans. “I was not feeling great but I thought it would go away. I tried to make it at least a small match but I could not handle more.”
The defending champion, who turned 24 last Saturday, added: “Some of you (fans) had to (miss) work or do other things today, so I’m really sorry.
“I’m sorry to disappoint. Congrats to Carlos, I know this is not how you wanted to win. You are having an amazing season.
“I’m sorry to disappoint but sometimes it’s like this. This has been one of the hottest tournaments we have played.”
Sinner lasted for just 22 minutes, calling for the doctor after losing the fifth game and shortly after going to shake hands with Alcaraz.
It was the second match in a row he had won over an ailing opponent, with Alexander Zvrev playing ill in the closing stages of their semifinal.
Alcaraz won his 22nd career title as he claimed his 17th victory in a row at the Masters 1000 level.
“This is not the way I want to win trophies,” Alcaraz said. I understand how Jannik is feeling right now.”
He called the Italian “a true champion, I know you will come back better and stronger than ever.”
