CNN
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Aryna Sabalenka needed 10 match points to claim a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Iga Świątek and book her place in the final of the Cincinnati Open, where she will face American Jessica Pegula on Monday.
It is the first time in her career that Sabalenka has defeated Świątek in straight sets and it is the Belarusian’s first win over the world number one this season after two defeats in WTA 1000 finals.
“I didn’t rush it. I trusted myself a lot and didn’t try to overhit the ball,” Sabalenka said, according to the WTA. “I just tried to stay there, put as much pressure on her as I could and really focus on my serve.”
“Especially when someone is leading you 8-3, you think, ‘Okay, I have to keep it exciting,'” Sabalenka added of the head-to-head match between the two. “I have to win, so it’s interesting for people to watch us play. So yeah, of course I really wanted that win.”
Sabalenka, now in her fifth final of the season, is aiming for her second title of the year after defending her Australian Open title in January. She had never reached the final in Cincinnati before and will now rise in the rankings to No. 2 in the world.
Pegula, meanwhile, has a chance to become the first woman since Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1973 to win both the Canadian Open and the Cincinnati Open in the same season.
The American defeated a resurgent Paulo Badosa 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 on Sunday in a match postponed due to rain, securing her ninth consecutive victory after her win in Montreal last week.
After missing a large part of the season due to injury, Pegula has returned to her best form just in time for the start of the US Open on August 26.
Pegula said she feels “pretty good” physically now after reaching two consecutive finals in a week.
“I slept a bit more last night so that helps,” she told Sky Sports. “The body feels really good which is great. That’s the most important thing.”
“I feel like I just need to catch up on some sleep! But after the final tomorrow, I have a week to catch up.”
