Iga Swiatek wins Cincinnati Open
title, defeats Jasmine Paolini
[August 19, 2025]
By JEFF WALLNER
CINCINNATI (AP) — Third-ranked Iga Swiatek captured the Cincinnati
Open title for the first time by defeating No. 7 Jasmine Paolini
7-5, 6-4 on Monday night.
Swiatek had failed to advance past the semifinals in her six
previous appearances at the Cincinnati Open. She reached the
semifinals in Cincinnati each of the past two years, but lost to
eventual champions Coco Gauff in 2023 and Aryna Sabalenka in 2024.
“It means a lot to me,” Swiatek said. “This year I really wanted it.
I’m just very happy. 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."
Swiatek has won all six meetings against the Italian, dropping only
one set in those matches.
Paolini jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first set but Swiatek roared
back to go ahead 5-3. Paolini broke serve to get even at 5-5, but
Swiatek closed out a first-set victory in 56 minutes.
Swiatek's eighth ace of the match gave her a 5-3 lead in the second
set. Paolini broke serve twice in the second set and was within 5-4,
but Swiatek was able to serve out the match for her 24th career
singles title.
“This season hasn't been easy," Swiatek said. “I've had areas to
improve. It's not easy to win tournaments when everyone is expecting
you to.”
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Swiatek had seven double faults to two for Paolini.
But she also had nine aces, while Paolini had none.
“When the rallies were going, I felt good on the court,” Paolini
said. “The serves were the difference. When she needed an ace, she
hit an ace.”
Paolini is the first Italian woman to reach the finals in
Cincinnati. Since she was a qualifier at the Cincinnati Open in
2023, Paolini has reached two Grand Slam singles finals, won a Grand
Slam doubles title and an Olympic gold medal.
“It was definitely a positive tournament for me,” Paolini said. “It
wasn't enough, of course. I just need to improve.”
The Cincinnati Open is considered a tuneup for the U.S. Open, which
begins Sunday in New York. The last two years, both the men’s and
women’s Cincinnati Open champions went on to win the final Grand
Slam tournament of the year.
Carlos Alcaraz won the men's final earlier Monday when Jannik Sinner
retired due to illness during the first set.
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