Aryna Sabalenka advanced to her first Cincinnati Open final with relative ease, defeating Polish world No.1 Iga Swiatek 6-3, 6-3 in the semi-finals on Sunday.
In their third clash of the season and their first on a hard court, the Belarusian world No.3 showcased her prowess with a fast-paced, aggressive style.
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 deficit.
Sabalenka will compete in her ninth WTA 1000 final on Monday.
Top-ranked Swiatek and Jannik Sinner had fended off challenges on Saturday to reach their respective semi-finals.
Swiatek had extended her match-winning streak to 15 with a 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 victory over 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva. Sabalenka was a 6-3, 6-2 winner over 10th-ranked Liudmila Samsonova.
Sinner avenged last week’s loss to No.6 Andrey Rublev in the quarter-finals in Montreal with a 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 victory to become the first Italian man to reach the Cincinnati semis in the Open era.
“It was very windy and I tried to be as consistent as possible,” Sinner said. “First time that I’ve played a semi-final in this place, so that’s very positive.”
Sinner will face No.3 Alexander Zverev. Zverev, the only remaining former champion in the draw, beat Ben Shelton 3-6, 7-6, 7-5. Zverev has won four straight against Sinner.
Frances Tiafoe advanced to the semi-finals for the second consecutive year when Hubert Hurkacz retired in the second set because of a calf injury.
In the other women’s quarter-finals, No.6 Jessica Pegula outlasted Leylah Fernandez, 6-2, 6-7, 7-6 for her first semi-final berth here. Pegula will face Paula Badosa who beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-3, 6-2. “Paula is really playing some good tennis,” Pegula said. “She turned her year around and is finding some form. She’s a top player.”