Cincinnati Open—Mason, Ohio

Sabalenka, Pegula and Sinner Reach Cincinnati Open Finals

Sunday’s sensational lineup of semifinal matches at the Cincinnati Open, in Mason, Ohio featured world No. 3 Aryna Sabalenka ousting top seed Iga Swiatek 6-3, 6-3.

Using her powerful groundstrokes and serve to offset the rhythm of her Polish opponent, Sabalenka hit five aces, won 67 percent of her first serve points and broke serve on five occasions.

Improving to 4-8 against Swiatek in lifetime meetings, the reigning Australian Open winner will next face Jessica Pegula in Monday’s final.

The inform American defeated an equally sharp Paula Badosa 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.

Pegula recently won the National Bank Open in Toronto, Canada, while Badosa captured the Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington, D.C.

During the one hour and 53 minute encounter, Pegula broke serve on five occasions, won 53 percent of her second serve points and topped off her performance with five aces.

Monday’s final will feature a seventh meeting between Sabalenka and Pegula. The Belarusian leads Pegula 4-2 in career meetings. Pegula won their last encounter in straight sets at WTA Finals in Cancun, Mexico last fall.

Sinner a Win Away

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner reached the finals of the Cincinnati Open on Sunday, defeating the ever-dangerous Alexander Zverev 7-6(9), 5-7, 7-6(4).

Needing three hours and seven minutes to prevail, Sinner hit 12 aces, 37 winners and 14/18 points at the net.

Losing four matches in a row to Zverev, Sinner is now a win away from his first-ever title in Cincinnati. The Italian will next face either 15th seed Holger Rune or home-country favourite Frances Tiafoe.

Rune defeated Jack Draper on Saturday evening, while Tiafoe benefited from a retirement victory against Hubert Hurkacz.

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