Jasmine Paolini reveals how she’s feeling about having to play Iga Swiatek in the Cincinnati Open final

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Jasmine Paolini is into yet another Masters 1000 final, in what is turning into yet another supremely successful year for the energetic Italian.

Last year marked the best of the 29-year-old’s career by some distance, emerging from relative obscurity to reach two Grand Slam finals whilst also winning a Masters 1000 title too.

And whilst she lost the latter two matches, it deservedly shot her up the world rankings and established her as a genuine threat to the sport’s elite players.

However, there was scepticism that she might struggle to maintain such impossibly strong form in 2025, with some predicting a steady decline after such a huge high.

That has been anything but the case, though.

Jasmine Paolini previews her Cincinnati Open final vs Iga Swiatek

Now, Jasmine Paolini is staring down the face of a second Masters 1000 final in the same year, having won the Italian Open in emphatic fashion against Coco Gauff earlier in 2025.

Were she to win the Cincinnati Open later today, beating an inspired and massively in-form Iga Swiatek, there would be very justified grounds for arguing that this year would have surpassed last year’s heroics, thus dispelling any fears about her simply being a one-season wonder.

However, it will not be easy, given the remarkable run that the Polish superstar is on.

She is fresh from her maiden Wimbledon title, and has shown no signs of slowing down as she has torn through the competition in Cincinnati.

Previewing the match after beating Veronika Kudermetova in the semi-finals, Paolini admitted: “It’s been really tough against her.

“She’s an amazing player. It’s always tough to play her. She’s defending really well and serving good as well. It’s going to be tough, but I’m trying to do my best. We are in the final. I like the conditions here. Let’s fight. Hopefully, it’s going to be a good match.”

This comes after Swiatek admitted something ‘crazy’ happened in her win over Elena Rybakina, highlighting the quality of her semi-final opponent.

How did Jasmine Paolini beat Veronika Kudermetova in Cincinnati Open semi-final

Although she surrendered the second set in a tight tiebreak, it was a really impressive all-around performance from Paolini, who excelled throughout.

However, what won her the match was just how clinical she was on the crucial points, boasting a 100% success rate on break points, converting all three she created.

Meanwhile, Kudermetova forged six of her own, yet managed to win just one.

Paolini, in those crucial moments, emerged as the tougher competitor. She will need to retain, and arguably amplify that if she is to trouble the mentally-solid Swiatek in the final.

The Italian was also really impressive with her serve, winning 74% of points on her first serve, and getting that serve in 79% of the time.

Kudermetova is a formidable opponent, but the level of quality should rise dramatically as she now faces a dangerously in-form Swiatek for the title.