Key Players and Their Backgrounds
The Cincinnati Open, the last WTA 1000 tournament before the US Open, will feature a highly anticipated final between two top-10 tennis players: Poland’s Iga Swiatek and Italy’s Jasmine Paolini. Both athletes are in their prime, with Swiatek ranked third and Paolini ninth in the WTA standings.
Iga Swiatek, 24, has already established herself as a formidable force in women’s tennis. She won the French Open in 2020 and recently claimed her second Grand Slam title at Wimbledon, breaking a 16-month trophy drought. Swiatek has amassed 23 career titles, showcasing her prowess on the biggest stages.
Jasmine Paolini, 29, has also made a name for herself in the tennis world. She reached two Grand Slam finals in 2024 – Roland Garros and Wimbledon. Paolini’s impressive victories include triumphs over Anna Kalinskaya in Dubai 2024 and Coco Gauff in Rome 2025. She has secured one WTA 1000 title (Eslovenia 2021) and two WTA 250 titles.
Previous Encounters
Swiatek and Paolini have faced each other once before in a WTA Tour final – Roland Garros 2024. Swiatek emerged victorious in straight sets, highlighting her dominance in Grand Slam events.
In five matches throughout their careers, Paolini has yet to defeat Swiatek. The Italian has never won a set against the Polish player since 2018, with Swiatek winning all their encounters.
Cincinnati Final Preview
This will be Paolini’s third 1000-level final, having previously won in Dubai 2024 and Rome 2025. Swiatek, on the other hand, seeks her first Cincinnati final appearance after falling short in 2023 and 2024 semifinals. A victory would mark her first Cincinnati title and solidify her status as a top contender heading into the US Open.
Swiatek’s recent Wimbledon triumph has given her a confidence boost. Despite facing challenges this season that led to a drop from second to eighth in the WTA rankings, she secured her return to the top three with her Wimbledon victory. This year, she aims for her second Cincinnati title alongside a Grand Slam (Wimbledon) and another WTA 1000 victory.
Prize Money and Ranking Points
The Cincinnati 2025 champion will receive $752,275 in prize money and 1,000 ranking points. The runner-up will earn $391,600 and 650 ranking points.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are the players competing in the Cincinnati final? Iga Swiatek (Poland) and Jasmine Paolini (Italy).
- What are their current WTA rankings? Iga Swiatek is third, and Jasmine Paolini is ninth.
- Have they faced each other before in a final? Yes, they played in the Roland Garros 2024 final, with Swiatek winning in straight sets.
- How many times has Paolini defeated Swiatek? Paolini has never defeated Swiatek in their five career matches.
- What is the prize money and ranking points for the Cincinnati champion? The winner will receive $752,275 and 1,000 ranking points.
