Iga Swiatek Is Back in Serious Form Ahead of the US Open

• CINCINNATI — Iga Swiatek's season has taken a significant turn at exactly the right time. After months of questions surrounding her form, the Polish star has rediscovered her winning rhythm just as the 2026 US Open approaches.

Swiatek ended an 11-month wait for a singles title by defeating Elena Rybakina in the Canadian Open final in Toronto last week. The victory was her first title of 2026 and came against one of the most powerful players on the women's tour. The Olympics' official website described it as Swiatek's first title of the season. Read the Olympics report.

A Long-Awaited Title

The Toronto triumph was important for more than the trophy. Swiatek had gone nearly a year without winning a tournament, an unusually long drought for a player who spent so much of the previous few seasons dominating the sport.

Her victory over Rybakina was particularly encouraging because it came against an opponent whose power and aggressive baseline game can create problems for Swiatek on fast courts. Winning the final in straight sets provided a timely confidence boost before the North American hard-court season reached its climax.

Swiatek also began working with new coach Francisco Roig during this period. The Guardian reported that the Canadian Open victory was her first title under Roig and came after months of intense scrutiny surrounding her performances. Read The Guardian's report.

Strong Start in Cincinnati

Rather than resting after her breakthrough in Toronto, Swiatek travelled directly to Cincinnati for another major hard-court test.

She has continued to look sharp. In the second round, Swiatek defeated Colombia's Emiliana Arango 6-3, 6-0. She then defeated Maria Sakkari in the round of 32 before advancing past Diane Parry 6-3, 6-3 in the round of 16.

The WTA's official Cincinnati results confirm Swiatek's victory over Sakkari, while ESPN's tournament scoreboard records her 6-3, 6-3 win over Parry and her progression to the quarter-finals. WTA: Swiatek vs. Sakkari and ESPN: Cincinnati scores.

Another Rybakina Test

Swiatek's next challenge is a familiar one. She is due to meet Rybakina again in the Cincinnati quarter-finals on Thursday.

The matchup is already one of the most intriguing rivalries in women's tennis. Rybakina's ability to hit through opponents with pace makes her a difficult opponent on hard courts, while Swiatek's movement, return game and heavy topspin can force opponents into uncomfortable positions.

The two players' meeting comes only days after Swiatek defeated Rybakina in the Toronto final, adding another layer of intrigue to the Cincinnati encounter. Current tournament coverage identifies their quarter-final as one of the headline matches of the day. Cincinnati quarter-final preview.

Why This Matters for the US Open

The timing could hardly be better for Swiatek. The US Open begins its main draw on August 30, giving her only a short window to turn her recent momentum into another Grand Slam challenge.

Swiatek has already demonstrated that she can win major titles on hard courts. Her US Open triumph in 2022 remains one of the defining achievements of her career, and she enters this year's tournament with something she appeared to be missing for much of the season: confidence.

The Cincinnati results are also arriving in an increasingly unpredictable women's draw. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka was eliminated by Czech teenager Sara Bejlek in the round of 16, meaning the top of the draw has suddenly become much more open. Read Reuters' Cincinnati report.

Swiatek Looks Dangerous Again

It would be premature to declare Swiatek back at the peak of her powers based on two tournaments alone. The US Open will provide a much tougher test, with the world's best players competing over two demanding weeks.

But the signs are increasingly positive. A title in Toronto, three wins in Cincinnati and another high-level matchup against Rybakina have transformed the narrative around Swiatek in a matter of days.

The former world No. 1 now has an opportunity to carry that momentum into New York. If her recent performances are any indication, the player who looked vulnerable earlier in the season could once again be one of the biggest threats to win the US Open.

Sources

• Olympics — Swiatek wins first title of 2026
• The Guardian — Swiatek ends her title drought
• WTA — Swiatek vs. Sakkari, Cincinnati Open 2026
• ESPN — Cincinnati Open 2026 results
• TennisConnected — Swiatek-Rybakina Cincinnati quarter-final preview
• Reuters — Cincinnati produces major upsets

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