Swiatek v Kalinskaya in High-Stakes Cincinnati Rematch
World No.3 Iga Swiatek stepped onto the Cincinnati hard courts looking to settle a score with Anna Kalinskaya, the only player in their rivalry to claim victory. Their second career meeting came one year and a few months after Kalinskaya stunned Swiatek in straight sets at the 2024 Dubai semifinals.
Kalinskaya, ranked No.34, carried the confidence of a string run in Cincinnati into this rematch, while Swiatek arrived with a 45-12 season record and the composure of a proven champion. Under the guidance of coach Wim Fissette, Swiatek had already collected the Wimbledon title remaining a force near the top of the Race rankings.
Though Kalinskaya lacked the accolades of her Polish opponent, the 26-year-old—coached by Patricia Tarabini—had quietly built a solid campaign, rising nine spots in the Live Race standings and compiling a 19-12 record.
Swiatek Survives Early Test to Take Opening Set Against Kalinskaya
Iga Swiatek weathered pressure moments and capitalized on key opportunities to secure a hard-fought 6-3 opening set against Anna Kalinskaya in their Cincinnati rematch.
Swiatek came out sharp on serve, holding to love to open the match and immediately applying scoreboard pressure. Kalinskaya, soon having to sport heavy strapping on her left leg after a medical timeout, responded well in her opening service game, saving it in a tense deuce battle to level at 1-1.
Swiatek steadied with another strong hold to go up 2-1, then struck decisively in the next game. Applying consistent depth and pace, she earned two break points and converted the second to break for 3-1. That momentum shift allowed the World No.3 to take control, backing up the break with a love hold for 4-1.
Kalinskaya snapped the streak with a composed service hold for 4-2, but Swiatek continued to dictate from the baseline, holding for 5-2 behind some clutch first serves.
Serving to stay in the set, Kalinskaya saved two set points and battled through another extended game to hold for 5-3. But Swiatek, unfazed, stepped to the line and handled the pressure with poise. Though Kalinskaya saved a third set point and pushed the game to deuce, Swiatek finally closed it on her fourth opportunity.
The set lasted 41 minutes, with Swiatek’s consistency on serve and timely aggression proving the difference. Kalinskaya showed flashes of the form she’s in, but the top seed edged the key moments.
Swiatek vs Kalinskaya – Set 1 Stats
| Statistic | Swiatek | Kalinskaya |
|---|---|---|
| Dominance Ratio | 1.73 | 0.58 |
| Serve Rating | 314 | 257 |
| Aces | 2 | 2 |
| Double Faults | 1 | 1 |
| 1st Serve % | 59% (16/27) | 62% (16/26) |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 81% (13/16) | 69% (11/16) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 73% (8/11) | 50% (5/10) |
| Break Points Saved | 100% (1/1) | 75% (3/4) |
| Service Games | 100% (5/5) | 75% (3/4) |
| Ace % | 7.4% | 7.7% |
| Double Fault % | 3.7% | 3.8% |
| Return Rating | 131 | 46 |
| 1st Return Points Won | 31% (5/16) | 19% (3/16) |
| 2nd Return Points Won | 50% (5/10) | 27% (3/11) |
| Break Points Won | 25% (1/4) | 0% (0/1) |
| Return Games | 25% (1/4) | 0% (0/5) |
| Pressure Points | 40% (2/5) | 60% (3/5) |
| Service Points | 78% (21/27) | 62% (16/26) |
| Return Points | 38% (10/26) | 22% (6/27) |
| Total Points | 58% (31/53) | 42% (22/53) |
| Max Points In A Row | 5 | 6 |
| Match Points Saved | 0 | 0 |
| Service Games Won | 100% (5/5) | 75% (3/4) |
| Return Games Won | 25% (1/4) | 0% (0/5) |
| Total Games Won | 67% (6/9) | 33% (3/9) |
| Max Games In A Row | 3 | 1 |
| Set 1 Duration | 0h 41m | |
Swiatek Wins War of Nerves to Edge Kalinskaya in Two Tight Sets
Kalinskaya opened the second set with authority, holding serve to take a 1-0 lead. Swiatek answered with a composed hold, then raised her level in the third game. Applying pressure from the baseline, the World No.3 earned two break points and converted on the second to move ahead 2-1.
Kalinskaya hit back immediately, breaking Swiatek in the next game to level at 2-all, then backed it up with a confident hold for 3-2. The Russian stayed aggressive, matching Swiatek in physical baseline exchanges.
But the momentum shifted again. Swiatek capitalized on another opening to break for 4-3, using her trademark court coverage and timing to keep Kalinskaya pinned behind the baseline. A routine hold followed for 5-3, inching her closer to the finish line.
In a marathon ninth game, Kalinskaya showed immense grit, saving four match points and fending off Swiatek with fearless shotmaking. Smilingly, she raised her hands in the air. But the four-time major champion remained composed, finally converting on her fifth match point to seal the victory in just under two hours.
Swiatek vs Kalinskaya – Set 2 Stats
| Statistic | Swiatek | Kalinskaya |
|---|---|---|
| Dominance Ratio | 1.58 | 0.63 |
| Serve Rating | 267 | 211 |
| Aces | 0 | 3 |
| Double Faults | 2 | 4 |
| 1st Serve % | 50% (13/26) | 49% (18/37) |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 85% (11/13) | 56% (10/18) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 54% (7/13) | 47% (9/19) |
| Break Points Saved | 0% (0/1) | 71% (5/7) |
| Service Games | 80% (4/5) | 60% (3/5) |
| Ace % | 0% | 8.1% |
| Double Fault % | 7.7% | 10.8% |
| Return Rating | 166 | 181 |
| 1st Return Points Won | 44% (8/18) | 15% (2/13) |
| 2nd Return Points Won | 53% (10/19) | 46% (6/13) |
| Break Points Won | 29% (2/7) | 100% (1/1) |
| Return Games | 40% (2/5) | 20% (1/5) |
| Pressure Points | 25% (2/8) | 75% (6/8) |
| Service Points | 69% (18/26) | 51% (19/37) |
| Return Points | 49% (18/37) | 31% (8/26) |
| Total Points | 57% (36/63) | 43% (27/63) |
| Max Points In A Row | 7 | 5 |
| Match Points Saved | 0 | 4 |
| Service Games Won | 80% (4/5) | 60% (3/5) |
| Return Games Won | 40% (2/5) | 20% (1/5) |
| Total Games Won | 60% (6/10) | 40% (4/10) |
| Max Games In A Row | 3 | 2 |
| Set 2 Duration | 0h 45m | |
Defined by momentum swings and mental fortitude, the match highlighted Swiatek’s elite problem-solving and calm under pressure. She advances in straight sets, but Kalinskaya’s effort ensured it was anything but routine.