MASON, Ohio — The first women’s semifinal at the 2026 Cincinnati Open is set.
Defending champion Iga Swiatek will face American Jessica Pegula for a place in the final after both players booked their spots in the final four on Thursday.
Pegula came through the more dramatic of the two quarterfinals, defeating fellow American Amanda Anisimova 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(4) in a tightly contested battle that went the distance. The win sends Pegula into another major semifinal on home soil and keeps her Cincinnati title hopes alive.
Swiatek’s path was much shorter. The defending Cincinnati champion was leading 4-1 in the opening set against Elena Rybakina when the world No. 2 was forced to retire because of a left ankle injury. The result moved Swiatek into the semifinals and extended her current winning streak to 10 matches following her recent title run in Toronto.
Now, two of the biggest names in the women’s game will meet with a spot in the Cincinnati final on the line.
A familiar rivalry
Pegula currently holds a 3-1 advantage over Swiatek in their recent head-to-head history, although Swiatek won their most recent meeting in Rome earlier this season in straight sets.
Their Cincinnati semifinal will add another chapter to a rivalry that has already produced matches at the US Open, Montreal, Bad Homburg and Rome.
For Pegula, it is an opportunity to reach the final in front of an American crowd. For Swiatek, it is another step toward defending her Cincinnati title.
One spot in the final. Swiatek vs. Pegula.
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