Sabalenka, Pegula to face off in Cincinnati WTA 1000 final

Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula will meet in the final of the Cincinnati Open in Ohio, with the pair both pulling off impressive wins in their semi-finals on Sunday.

Sabalenka took on world No.1 Iga Swiatek and delivered her best performance of the year to dispatch the Pole 6-3, 6-3.

She required an incredible 10 match points to do so, with Swiatek refusing to bow out to the soon-to-be world No.2 without a fight.

Pegula took on the in-form Paula Badosa, who had won 10 of her 11 matches coming into the Cincinnati semi-finals.

She needed the full three sets to see off the Spaniard, prevailing 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 to make her second consecutive WTA 1000 final.

The 30-year-old American won the Canadian Open last week, defeating Amanda Anisimova in the final in Toronto.

Women’s US Open odds become more competitive

With the US Open starting next Monday, both Sabalenka and Pegula spoke after their matches about what their newfound form means to them.

“I’m really happy to see myself at such a high level,” said Sabalenka, who has not won a title since claiming the Australian Open in January.

Pegula, who is suddenly in red-hot form, is pleased with her physical health a week out from the US Open.

“I’ve been working a lot on my fitness and my movement,” she said.

“I had a rib injury, so we were working a lot on the lower body.

“I’m moving really well, so that gives me a lot of confidence moving forward.

“It would be crazy to win back-to-back 1000s.”

Both women have shortened in the US Open title betting markets.

Many top tennis bookmakers have Sabalenka ($3.75) narrowly ahead of Swiatek ($4) to win it all in New York.

Pegula still holds the sixth line of betting at $15, behind Elena Rybakina ($8), Coco Gauff ($8.50) and Naomi Osaka ($11).

Sabalenka is also favoured to win the Cincinnati Open final on Monday.

She pays $1.36 at bookmaker BetOnline, with Pegula at $3.20 for a second WTA 1000 title in a row.

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