Aryna Sabalenka into Cincinnati Semifinals, Faces Swiatek Rematch

Sabalenka Defeats Samsonova, Sets Up Swiatek Clash

Aryna Sabalenka continued her resurgence on the WTA Tour, defeating Liudmila Samsonova in straight sets to reach the semifinals of the Cincinnati Open. Sabalenka, the No. 2 seed, overcame a slow start to secure a 6-4, 6-2 victory and book a meeting with world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the last four.

Sabalenka Dominant in Straights Sets

Samsonova, ranked 18th in the world, made a promising start to the match, breaking Sabalenka's serve in the opening game. However, the Belarusian star responded with authority, breaking back immediately and then winning the next five games to claim the first set 6-4. Sabalenka maintained her momentum in the second set, firing 12 winners and committing just three unforced errors to seal the victory and reach the semifinals.

Swiatek Rematch Awaits

Sabalenka's victory sets up an eagerly anticipated rematch with Swiatek, who defeated the Belarusian in last year's Cincinnati semifinals. Swiatek has dominated women's tennis in 2023, winning the French Open and Wimbledon titles, and will be a formidable opponent for Sabalenka.

Sabalenka's Resurgence

Sabalenka's victory in Cincinnati comes after a difficult period for the 24-year-old. She struggled with her serve earlier in the season, but has shown signs of improvement in recent weeks. With her victory over Samsonova, Sabalenka has now won 10 of her last 11 matches and is back to her best form.

Swiatek Favored in Semifinal Clash

Swiatek will be the favorite heading into the semifinal encounter. The Pole has been in imperious form this season, winning 55 of her 63 matches and claiming seven titles. However, Sabalenka will be confident of causing an upset after her impressive performance in Cincinnati.

Match Preview

The Cincinnati Open semifinal between Sabalenka and Swiatek is scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 20th at 3:00 PM ET. The match will be broadcast live on ESPN and the Tennis Channel.