MASON − For the second time in three years, Jessica Pegula will compete for the Rookwood Cup.
Pegula, the WTA's No. 3 ranked player, defeated defending champion Iga Swiatek 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 in the semifinals of the 2026 Cincinnati Open on Saturday, Aug. 21. The American also snapped Swiatek's 10-match win streak that extended back to the National Bank Open.
In a match between two of the best returners in the WTA, there were 13 breaks across two hours and 47 minutes of play. Sets came down to who performed best down the stretch, which was Pegula in the first and third sets. It also helped that many shots down the line went in Pegula's favor, and vice versa for Swiatek.
Pegula broke Swiatek first. Swiatek pounced on Pegula's serve to break right back but dropped the next game to Pegula, which was briefly interrupted by a drizzle of rain. Two breaks later, Pegula won the first hold of the match at 4-2, before Swiatek held for the first time next.
Swiatek beat Pegula's serve again at 4-4, but couldn't break for the set when she had the chance. Instead, Pegula won the next three games, taking advantage of Swiatek rushing her shots to gain a 7-5 lead. On set point, Swiatek dumped a wide-open volley into the net.
#swiatek #match #next
Pegula, the WTA's No. 3 ranked player, defeated defending champion Iga Swiatek 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 in the semifinals of the 2026 Cincinnati Open on Saturday, Aug. 21. The American also snapped Swiatek's 10-match win streak that extended back to the National Bank Open.
In a match between two of the best returners in the WTA, there were 13 breaks across two hours and 47 minutes of play. Sets came down to who performed best down the stretch, which was Pegula in the first and third sets. It also helped that many shots down the line went in Pegula's favor, and vice versa for Swiatek.
Pegula broke Swiatek first. Swiatek pounced on Pegula's serve to break right back but dropped the next game to Pegula, which was briefly interrupted by a drizzle of rain. Two breaks later, Pegula won the first hold of the match at 4-2, before Swiatek held for the first time next.
Swiatek beat Pegula's serve again at 4-4, but couldn't break for the set when she had the chance. Instead, Pegula won the next three games, taking advantage of Swiatek rushing her shots to gain a 7-5 lead. On set point, Swiatek dumped a wide-open volley into the net.
#swiatek #match #next
2 months ago
