The stage is set, and the players are ready! Grab yourself a bucket full of popcorn to witness a blockbuster showdown in Cincinnati. The world number one, Iga Swiatek takes on the number three, Aryna Sabalenka in the semis. This will be their first meeting on the hard courts this season. Making a comeback from a shoulder injury isn’t easy, but the Belarusian tennis star is born to fight whatever comes her way. Talking about fights, Sabalenka said, “I’m really looking forward for another great battle against her (Swiatek)“.

On the other hand, the Polish tennis star has nothing but respect for Sabalenka. She said, “We’re both, you know, players that kind of deserve to be in the semifinals, finals. Because we’re working really hard, and I respect Aryna, like, so much.” Who’ll ultimately have the last laugh this time?

Iga Swiatek vs Aryna Sabalenka: Preview

Swiatek has been in red-hot form this year, and she has already grabbed five titles this season. Apart from that, she has also reached two SFs in her previous tournaments. Swiatek is now 10-0 in the QF matches in 2024. She beat Russia’s Mirra Andreeva in the QF by 4-6,6-3,7-5 and this was her 30th win at a WTA 1000 tournament this season. This reflects her sheer dominance on the Tour in the last few months.

Sabalenka, on the other hand, started the season by reaching the finals in Brisbane. After that, she won the title at the 2024 Australian Open, but soon after her emphatic triumph, she struggled a bit in the next few tournaments. Sabalenka is still searching for her second title in the 2024 season. Apart from those two results, she has reached two finals, one SF, and four QFs this season. In the previous match, she outclassed Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova by 6-3,6-2.

Swiatek vs Sabalenka: Head-to-Head

Both of these flag-bearers of women’s tennis have played against each other 11 times in their careers so far. Currently, Swiatek leads the H2H scoreline by an 8-3 margin.

• 2021 WTA Finals R1: Sabalenka 2-6,6-2,7-5.
• 2022 Qatar Open QF: Swiatek 6-2,6-3.
• 2022 Stuttgart Open Final: Swiatek 6-2,6-2.
• 2022 Italian Open SF: Swiatek 6-2,6-1.
• 2022 US Open SF: Swiatek 3-6,6-1,6-4.
• 2022 WTA Finals SF: Sabalenka 6-2,2-6,6-1.
• 2023 Stuttgart Open Final: Swiatek 6-3,6-4.
• 2023 Madrid Open Final: Sabalenka 6-3,3-6,6-3.
• 2023 WTA Finals SF: Swiatek 6-3,6-2.
• 2024 Madrid Open Final: Swiatek 7-5,4-6,7-6(7).
• 2024 Italian Open Final: Swiatek 6-2,6-3.

Prediction: Sabalenka to win in three sets

When in hard courts, Sabalenka is a real threat to watch out for! Even someone like Swiatek may find it a bit difficult on this surface. Both the players reached the SFs in Cincinnati last year and they will be keen to take one step forward this time. Swiatek has a staggering win-loss record this year (55-6), whereas it’s 37-11 for Sabalenka. However, the conditions can play a huge role in this enticing encounter.

The hard courts in Cincinnati have been very fast this season and this may give the Belarusian an edge in this match. Two out of her three wins against Swiatek have come on hard courts. Before this rings a bell in your head, let’s take a look at her playing style and how it gives her a double edge!

If we look at her playing style, Sabalenka is a baseliner with a powerful aggressive style of play. Her game often accumulates a high number of winners and unforced errors. She can generate some real power behind her serves and groundstrokes but at times she struggles a bit committing a high number of double faults. Sabalenka has hit 205 aces this season but has committed 146 double faults so far this year. Swiatek on the other hand, comes up with a lot of variation in her game.

Her forehand and backhands are really fast and powerful. She can generate a lot of topspin with her forehand due to her extreme Western grip. It has been a bit windy in Cincinnati in the last few days and if the weather remains the same, this can give the Polish tennis star a slight advantage against Sabalenka. Apart from that Swiatek loves coming to the net and also has good volleying skills. She aims to gain the advantage in a point by hitting the ball early on the rise. Can the in-from Swiatek get the first step forward to the finals though?

It seems a bit tough on hard courts at the moment against someone like Sabalenka! For those who are unaware, Saba has won two major titles in her career and both of them have been on hard courts. So, the ‘Tiger’ is most likely to prowl on its prey in Cincinnati!