Swiatek vs. Boulanger in Season 6: The Pole Returns to World No. 2 or the Little Cannon's First Victory Over Her Nemesis

In the WTA 1000 Cincinnati semifinal that wrapped up early this morning, world No. 3 Iga Swiatek defeated 9th seed Elena Rybakina in straight sets, 7-5, 6-3, achieving her fourth consecutive victory over Rybakina this year and making it to the final of this event without dropping a set! This marks her 13th appearance in a WTA 1000 final, further proving the Polish star's dominance in top-tier events.

This match was a heavyweight clash worthy of a Grand Slam champion, with both players engaging in fierce competition from the very first set. Rybakina started strong, taking a 5-3 lead thanks to her aggressive returns and baseline power. However, Swiatek showcased her signature mental resilience and tactical adjustments, winning four consecutive games to turn the first set around, completely disrupting Rybakina's rhythm.

After the match, Swiatek remarked: “At the beginning, the level of play was quite crazy. We were playing so fast that sometimes we couldn't even get to the second ball. I played with a lot of intensity today, and the quality was high; I’m very satisfied with my performance.”

Swiatek’s victory was bolstered by her exceptional serving efficiency and steady baseline defense: she won 82% of her first serves, firmly controlling her service games, allowing Rybakina to break her only once in the first set; she made only 26 unforced errors (compared to Rybakina's 42), maintaining remarkable stability during fast exchanges; her quick movement and tenacious defensive counterattacks repeatedly neutralized Rybakina's powerful shots while utilizing precise placements to keep her opponent on the move.

Despite Rybakina hitting 22 winners, which matched Swiatek's count, her excessive errors and hesitations on crucial points ultimately led to her defeat, ending her run in the Cincinnati semifinals.

With this victory, Swiatek earned 650 ranking points and a prize of $390,000. If she wins the final, she will surpass Coco Gauff to reclaim the world No. 2 spot, further closing the gap with world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.

In the final, her opponent will be Italy's Boulanger, who narrowly defeated Kudermetova with a score of 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-3 to reach her second final of the season. Boulanger's performance this year has been much less impressive compared to last year, especially with disappointing Grand Slam results; however, she did secure a WTA 1000 title by defeating Gauff in the Rome final. Swiatek holds a dominant 5-0 record against Boulanger in their head-to-head encounters.

As a four-time French Open champion, Swiatek has often been criticized for being clay-court specialized, but her progress on hard courts has been evident in recent years: she won the 2022 US Open, the 2023 China Open 1000, the year-end finals, and the 2024 Qatar 1000 and Indian Wells 1000 titles, demonstrating her top-tier prowess on hard surfaces. Her strong performance in Cincinnati undoubtedly boosts her confidence heading into the upcoming US Open.

In the upcoming Cincinnati final, Swiatek must remain vigilant against Boulanger, whom she has defeated in all five previous encounters. Swiatek needs to be cautious of her opponent's quick point-taking attacks and resilient defense. With her greater experience in finals and all-around skills, the Polish player is still favored to win. After the semifinal, Boulanger commented on facing Swiatek in the final: “It's really tough to play against her. She's an outstanding player with excellent defense and strong serves; I will do my best. We’ve made it to the final, and I love the current competition atmosphere; let’s fight together.”

Will this final serve as a platform for Swiatek to return to world No. 2? Or will it be Boulanger's stage for her first victory over the Pole? The answer will be revealed on Tuesday morning, August 19, Beijing time! (Source: Tennis Home Author: Mei )