Clash of Titans in Cincinnati! Iga Swiatek is all set to face her familiar rival, Aryna Sabalenka in the SF of the Cincinnati Masters. This will be their third meeting this season, but the first meeting on the hard courts. Talking about hard courts, we all know Sabalenka is a completely different player on this surface, quite similar to Swiatek on clay. However, surprisingly, both of these tennis stars have won an equal number of titles on the hard courts (12). What does Swiatek think of this general perception in the tennis world?

After securing her spot in the semis, during the post-match interview, Swiatek was asked whether she counts herself the favorite on the hardcourts and whether it surprises her that people are putting Sabalenka over her as the favorite. In reply, she said, “No, it doesn’t surprise me but I think people just tend to focus on our biggest results like grand slams and they forget about other stuff.” Currently, the H2H between the two players is at 8-3 in favor of the Polish tennis star.

“Honestly I think we’re playing great on both clay and hardcourts and she’s playing great on grass. I’m not playing great on grass. So honestly, I think it’s just like a little mistake the people make in their brains when they think about us,” Swiatek further went on to add. However, the Pole is not bothered about this perception, as she herself admitted that some surfaces might suit Sabalenka better and some might in turn work in her favor.

However, this isn’t the first time that Swiatek has been asked about this. Just a few months ago, a reporter asked her to share her thoughts on why she is more dominant on clay courts than any other surface when all the surfaces play quite similarly these days. Swiatek was a bit surprised to hear that remark, as she asked the journalist if they really think all the surfaces play the same these days. “Have you played on each of these surfaces?” Swiatek asked the journalist.

Thankfully, this time, the journalist got spared by the ‘Queen of Clay’, but what do Swiatek and Sabalenka have to say about their SF clash at Cincinnati?

Aryna Sabalenka doesn’t think the court will determine the outcome of her match against Iga Swiatek

For those who are unaware, Swiatek beat Sabalenka in the US Open SF in 2022. Even in the 2023 WTA Finals, it was the Polish tennis star who had the last laugh. These are two of the most notable performances of Swiatek against Sabalenka on hard courts.

Sabalenka knows matches against Swiatek are always going to be of high intensity. While the Belarusian hasn’t dropped a set yet at the Cincinnati, Swiatek has already dropped two sets so far. As per Sabalenka’s pre-match analysis, “I wouldn’t say that going against world No. 1, surface can really help you to get the win.”

The 26-year-old is not relying on the surface a lot, as she added, “I feel like I have to focus on myself, on my game, not expecting the surface to kind of, like, bring me some benefits and help me to win this match.“

Sabalenka has won two major titles in her career and both of them have come on the hard courts. Yet she doesn’t want to rule out her opponent completely on this surface. Swiatek has already mentioned that this surface in Cincinnati is “super fast“. She knows she’ll have to make a few adjustments to her game. It promises to be a cracker of a match. Who do you think will emerge victorious? Let us know in the comments below.