Cincinnati Masters
Swiatek breaks new ground with Cincinnati final
Iga Swiatek reached the final of the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Open for the first time on Sunday, suriging past Elena Rybakina 7-5, 6-3 to next line up against an Italian with nothing to lose.
The six-time Grand Slam champion earned a Monday evening match against Jasmine Paolini after the Italian “forgot” a patch of bad form to construct a 6-3, 6-7 (2/7), 6-3 win over Veronika Kudermetova in two and a quarter hours.
Paolini failed to serve out the match in leading a set and 5-4 and admitted she got nervous as a result. “The key was to forget, get back into the fight and stay in the present.
“I was fighting in the second set and all was fine. But I got nervous and thought I would lose the tiebreaker. I came back onto court in the third set trying not to think about what had happened – you have to keep going.”
Paolini aims for her fourth career title in the Swiatek match, with the Pole competing in her 13th final at the 1000 level.
Swiatek has beaten Paolini four times since 2018, with the Italian winning just one set.
Wimbledon holder Swiatek came form a break down in the opening set against Rybkina, Wimbledon winner in 2022.
Third-ranked Swiatek came good on her third attempt to reach the Cincy title match after stalling in the semis at the last two editions.
“It was a great match, and at the beginning, I was even surprised that I’m able to keep up with the pace, because we played so fast,” she said
“I wanted to be there when Elena starts making mistakes. It’s impossible
to play such a good level throughout the whole match.
“I’m happy that I wasn’t when she was aceing and playing so perfectly from the beginning.”
Swiatek said she is ready for the odd Monday night final. “Anyone who is there will have been playing well.
“Each of them play completely different tennis. I’ll have to figure out my tactics. I’ve progressed well at this tournament and I want to continue that.”
Main photo:- Iga Swiatek with 2025 Wimbledon Trophy – by Roger Parker ISF Ltd
Carlos Alcaraz could miss the entire grass season if a worst-case scenario on his wrist injury comes into play.
The Spaniard has already withdrawn from title defences on clay at Rome and Roland Garros after injuring the wrist this month in Barcelona.
But latest reports from Spain indicate that the world No. 2 could possibly not be back until the start of the US Open run-up next August, possibly at the Cincinnati Masters.
Rome’s La Gazzetta dello Sport broke the bad news on the fitness state of Alcaraz, winner of the last two French Open editions. The paper reported there was no chance for the player to compete either at Queen’s club, London, or Wimbledon, which begins in late June.
Main photo:- Carlos Alcaraz reached Wimbledon final 2025 – by Roger Parker ISF Ltd
World No. 2 Jannik Sinner became the youngest man to complete the full set of hard-court victories by beating Daniil Medvedev 7-6 (8) 7-6 (7) in the searing heat of Indian Wells.
The 24 year old Italian, didn’t face a break point during the final nor did he drop a set on his way to claiming his first title of the year and his 25th overall.
Sinner has won both hard court Grand Slams, with victories at the Australian Open in 2024 and 2025 and at the US Open in 2024.
In addition he has lifted all six Masters 1000 series hard court titles – adding the Indian Wells title to victories in Miami, Toronto, Cincinnati, Shanghai and Paris plus the season-ending ATP Finals.
Only Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer have achieved the same feat.
Main photo:- Jannik Sinner lifts Indian Wells Trophy – by ATPTour.com
Felix Auger-Aliassime bounced back after a slow start, with the Canadian raiding his game along with his expectations on Wednesday at the ATP Dubai event.
The top seed survived the loss of his opening serve to prevail 6-4, 6-4 over France’s Giovanni Mpetschi Perricard.
Victory marked the 10th quarter-final or higher at 11 tournament for FAA dating to Cincinnati last August.
The seed’s game is on the mend after a hiccup in the form of an Australian Open first-round loss, with FAA winning the Montpellier title and reaching this month’s Rotterdam final against Alex de Minaur.
Auger-Aliassime said that he tries to set an example to his team by way of keeping his tennis standards high.
“I’m responsible, I’m the one stepping onto the court – I’m the (support) team leader.
“I need to uphold the standards I want for my career.”
The winner who broke three times, said the ball reacted differently as he played for the first time in the afternoon.
“I couldn’t find my serve in the first few games, I needed to get some rhythm. he also made it difficult for me. I’m glad I was able to find a way back into the set.
The Canadian No. 1 improved his record against French opponents to 15-1 since the start of 2025.
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