CINCINNATI, Aug 22 (Reuters) – Jessica Pegula rallied from a break down in the deciding set to topple defending champion Iga Swiatek 7-5 4-6 6-4 and reach the Cincinnati Open final on Saturday, while Arthur Fils beat Flavio Cobolli 6-3 6-4.
World number three Pegula and seventh seed Swiatek traded breaks early in the opening set before rain briefly interrupted play with the score level at 1-1. Pegula returned with purpose, breaking for a 3-2 lead and following it with a love hold for 4-2.
Swiatek clawed back, breaking to level at 4-4 before moving ahead. But with the set locked at 5-5, Pegula capitalised on a Swiatek double fault to break for 6-5 before the Pole missed a return and sent an overhead smash into the net to hand Pegula the opener.
In the second set Swiatek was more aggressive, breaking in the sixth game to take a 4-2 lead. Pegula broke back and managed to level the contest, but the former world number one sealed the set in the 10th game when Pegula missed a forehand return.
Pegula refused to fade after Swiatek moved 3-1 ahead in the decider. The American levelled at 4-4, earned the decisive break in the next game and served out victory after two hours and 47 minutes.
“It was a really tough match. She (Swiatek) is in great form. To beat someone who is such a great athlete like Iga in the semis and to make it to another 1000 final, it’s awesome,” Pegula said.
She will face either American Coco Gauff or Czech Sara Bejlek, who are playing in the other semi-final.
In the men’s draw, 21st seed Fils beat seventh seed Cobolli in 67 minutes to extend his winning run to five matches. Cobolli broke first for a 2-1 lead, but Fils responded immediately to take a 4-3 lead before breaking in the eighth game as the Italian misfired from the baseline.
Fils, who won the Barcelona Open in April, broke in the opening game of the second set and dictated play with sharp forehands to clinch victory, firing 22 winners and six aces. The four-time ATP Tour champion will face the winner of Brandon Nakashima and Frances Tiafoe to be played later on Saturday.
(Reporting by Angelica Medina in Mexico City; Editing by Ken Ferris and Deepa Babington)
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