Iga Swiatek cruises into Cincinnati Open 2025 Last 32 as Madison Keys, Elena Rybakina survive scares
World No. 3 Iga Swiatek began her 2025 Cincinnati Open campaign in dominant fashion, brushing aside Russia’s Anastasia Potapova to join Madison Keys, Elena Rybakina, and Amanda Anisimova in the third round of the prestigious WTA 1000 event at the Lindner Family Tennis Center.
Swiatek’s strong start in Cincinnati Open 2025
In her first match since lifting the Wimbledon 2025 title, Swiatek stormed through the opening set 6-1 in under 30 minutes, showing the same ruthless form that made her a two-time semi-finalist in Cincinnati.
Potapova, ranked 45 in the world, pushed harder in the second set, forcing the 24-year-old Pole to dig deep and produce her best tennis in key moments. Swiatek held firm, saving four of five break points, including three while serving for the match, to secure a 6-1, 6-4 victory.
“I really wanted to be solid but pretty intense on the other hand,” Swiatek said after the match. “In important moments, I got my level up and I could close it.”
The win extends Swiatek’s extraordinary streak to 64 consecutive victories in opening matches at WTA tournaments, equalling Monica Seles’ record for consecutive opening-round wins in Tier I/WTA 1000 events.
Madison Keys saves Match Points to advance
Elsewhere, home favorite Madison Keys battled back from the brink to overcome Germany’s Eva Lys in a dramatic 1-6, 6-3, 7-6(1) victory. The 2019 Cincinnati champion was two points away from defeat after serving for the match at 5-4 in the decider but roared back with big serving, firing 12 aces to close out the tiebreak. Keys will now face Japan’s Aoi Ito, who stunned No. 27 seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in three sets.
Elena Rybakina, Jessica Bouzas Maneiro score big wins
Ninth seed Elena Rybakina needed three sets to defeat Mexico’s Renata Zarazua 4-6, 6-0, 7-5, firing 14 aces along the way. The Kazakh star now meets Elise Mertens, who came through a marathon match against qualifier Clervie Ngounoue.
Spanish rising star Jessica Bouzas Maneiro continued her breakout season with a straight-sets victory over No. 21 seed Leylah Fernandez, following up her impressive run in Montreal.
Notable Cincinnati Open 2025 Results
- Taylor Townsend (USA) def. Liudmila Samsonova (RUS) 6-2, 6-4
- Maya Joint (AUS) def. Beatriz Haddad Maia (BRA) 6-4, 4-6, 6-4
- Anna Kalinskaya (RUS) def. Peyton Stearns (USA) 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-1
- Yuan Yue (CHN) def. Diana Shnaider (RUS) 6-4, 1-6, 6-3
- Sorana Cirstea (ROU) def. Magdalena Frech (POL) 7-6(4), 2-6, 6-4
Next for Swiatek and Keys
Swiatek will face No. 25 seed Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine, a player she has never lost a set to in four previous meetings. Keys, meanwhile, takes on Aoi Ito as she continues her quest for a second Cincinnati Open crown.
SportsLigue