Swiatek Defeats Paolini To Win Cincinnati Title

World number three Iga Swiatek produced a stunning performance to brush aside seventh seed Jasmine Paolini 7-5 6-4 to win the 2025 Cincinnati Title on Tuesday.

Paolini raced to a 3-0 lead before Swiatek fought back to win five games in a row to win the first set.

Swiatek hit nine aces to Paolini’s none and she converted all six of her break point opportunities.

She has now won 11 titles at the WTA 1000 level and is two away from equalling the record held by Serena Williams.

The Polish star was delighted to win her first-ever Cincinnati Open trophy while expressing readiness to participate in the US Open.

Swiatek said: “It’s nice to check off the list another tournament that I haven’t won. I have friends here. It’s a nice, relaxed tournament before New York.

“This season hasn’t been easy. I’ve had areas to improve. It’s not easy to win tournaments when everyone is expecting you to.

“I don’t know why I won the tournaments that were like the last ones in terms of what I thought they were going to be. So, thank you [to my team] for forcing me to become a better player and learn how to play on all these faster surfaces. I’m kind of shocked and super happy, so thank you for the awesome support, to the team and to my family back home,”

Paolini described it as a positive tournament despite the defeat in the final.

She said: “When the rallies were going, I felt good on the court. The serves were the difference. When she needed an ace, she hit an ace.

“It was definitely a positive tournament for me. It wasn’t enough, of course. I just need to improve.”

In the men’s category, World number one Jannik Sinner retired after just five games against Carlos Alcaraz in the men’s singles final due to illness to enable Alcaraz to emerge champion.

Sinner apologised to the fans for her inability to finish the game.

He said: “I feel really bad, I feel so sorry for the fans. I’m super sorry to disappoint you. Since yesterday, I haven’t felt great. I thought I would get better during the night but it got worse.

“I tried to come out and make it a small match but I couldn’t handle more. I’m very sorry for all of you. I know some of you on Monday have to work or do something else, so I’m really sorry.”

Carlos Alcaraz sent his words of encouragement to Sinner after the encounter.

He said: “It’s not the way I want to win matches or the trophy.

“I know and understand how you [Sinner] feel right now. I can’t say anything you don’t know.

“You are a true champion and I’m sure you will come back better, even stronger. You always do and that’s what true champions do. Sorry, and come back stronger.”

The pair have dominated men’s tennis over the past 18 months, winning the last seven majors since the start of 2024.

Swiatek has won 24 WTA Tour–level singles titles, including six major titles: four at the French Open, one at Wimbledon, and one at the US Open.

She has also won the 2023 WTA Finals and eleven WTA 1000 titles.

Up next in the Tennis calendar is the US Open, which kicks off on Sunday.