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After a rocky stretch, including a shock Canadian Open exit, Iga Swiatek rebounded with form and flair at the Cincinnati Open. Unfazed by previous mistakes, she powered through her draw without dropping a set and bested Jasmine Paolini 7-5, 6-4 in the final.
The victory not only secured her 11th WTA 1000 Title but also positioned her ahead of Coco Gauff in the race for year-end No.1. Pundits now eye her as the favorite for the US Open.
Dominant Cincinnati run signals Swiatek's resurgence
Swiatek's Cincinnati triumph was emphatic, she navigated the event unblemished, dropping no sets and converting all six break points in the final to defeat Paolini.
Her resilience is all the more striking given her earlier struggles, including a lopsided defeat against Clara Tauson in Montreal marked by 46 unforced errors. Swiatek acknowledged that loss as a learning opportunity and her Cincinnati form showed just how well she's adapted.
Swiatek overtakes Gauff
With Swiatek's Cincinnati title, she has overtaken Gauff in the year end No.1 race, pulling ahead in points and momentum. Tennis legend Lindsay Davenport lent weight ti the narrative, stating on-air that Swiatek "has to start being talked about as THE favorite for the US Open".
Meanwhile, Gauff's own campaign has seen mixed results despite her stellar season, raising questions about how she'll respond under pressure.