Alert: Sabalenka beats Swiatek in Western & Southern Open semis

Aryna Sabalenka cruised past Iga Swiatek in straight sets at the WTA Cincinnati 1000 on Sunday. Sabalenka awaits either Jessica Pegula or Paula Badosa.

Aryna Sabalenka in the 2024 Australian Open (Icon SMI/Panoramic)

Tennis Majors

August 18, 2024

Cincinnati Open •Semi-final • completed

See draw

I. SwiatekvsA. Sabalenka

Aryna Sabalenka, the No 3 seed, moved into the final of the Western & Southern Open by beating Pole Iga Swiatek, the top seed, 6-3, 6-3 at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Cincinnati on Sunday afternoon.

Sabalenka, ranked No 3, will next face the winner of the match between American Jessica Pegula, the No 6 seed, and Spaniard Paula Badosa.

Sabby's masterclass is in session 👩‍🏫

Aryna Sabalenka ousts World No. 1 Iga Swiatek 6-3, 6-1 to reach the final in Cincy 👀 #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/aviicVXoxA
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) August 18, 2024

Ahead of her victory, the Belarusian beat Italian Elisabetta Cocciaretto (6-3, 6-4), Ukrainian Elina Svitolina (7-5, 6-2) and Russian Liudmila Samsonova, the No 10 seed (6-3, 6-2).

Swiatek, ranked No 1, ousted French qualifier Varvara Gracheva (6-0, 6-7 (8), 6-2), Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk, the No 15 seed (6-2, 6-2) and Russian Mirra Andreeva (4-6, 6-3, 7-5) in the previous rounds.