Aryna Sabalenka and Karolina Muchova know how to manage the suspense. For their third confrontation in the semi-finals, the Belarusian and the Czech still fought a great battle in Cincinnati. A few months earlier, at Roland-Garros, Muchova had taken the lead after more than three hours of play (7/6, 6/7, 7/5), frustrating Sabalenka who was keen to take revenge on the cement American. Once again, the world number 2 has not found the key to overcoming the Czech and her variations (6/7 (4), 6/3, 6/2).
Despite the loss of the first set in the decisive game, the 17th player in the world never panicked and gradually imposed her rhythm and forced her opponent to commit more and more unforced errors. Efficient in service and still radiant at the net, the Czech definitely unpinned Sabalenka by offering herself a decisive double break in the third set. A victory full of control for Muchova who will try to win her second career title against the American Coco Gauff, who fell from world number 1 Iga Swiatek.
