The 2025 Cincinnati Open is set to take place from August 7th to 18th, serving as the final WTA 1000 tournament before the highly anticipated US Open. As the excitement builds, the entry list has been released, featuring many of the sport’s top talents.
Aryna Sabalenka, who made a splash in the North American hard-court segment by opting out of the 2024 Olympics, struggled initially at the Citi Open and Canadian Open but rediscovered her winning touch at last year’s Cincinnati Open. It was here that she triumphed over Jessica Pegula, showcasing her powerful serve and eventually claiming the US Open title just weeks later with another win against Pegula.
Now the world No. 1, Sabalenka will return to Cincinnati with a strong 2025 season behind her, having reached seven finals and securing three titles, notably on hard courts at prestigious tournaments like the Brisbane International and the Australian Open. Despite her accolades, she has faced tough defeats, including losses in finals against Madison Keys at the Australian Open and Coco Gauff at the French Open.
Pegula, currently ranked third in the world, aims to turn the tables on her last-year’s defeat as she faces the challenge of defending points accrued during the 2024 North American swing, including her victory at the Canadian Open and finals appearances at both Cincinnati and the US Open. After an unexpected early exit at Wimbledon against Elisabetta Cocciaretto, Pegula will look to regain her composure on hard courts.
In the previous tournament in Bad Homburg, Pegula’s victory over Iga Swiatek was notable, not just for the title but also as it marked Swiatek’s first professional final loss since her triumph at the 2024 French Open. The former world No. 1, avoided letting her disappointment linger, and produced solid performances at Wimbledon, demonstrating resilience.
Coco Gauff, who grabbed her first WTA 1000 title at the 2023 Cincinnati Open, carried that momentum into securing her first Grand Slam at the 2023 US Open, where she bested Sabalenka in the final. However, her previous Cincinnati outing was less successful; potential fatigue from the 2024 Olympics likely contributed to her early exit.
Another intriguing player in the mix is Emma Raducanu. The 2021 US Open champion is keen to make a significant impact in Cincinnati after a competitive run to the quarterfinals in the 2025 Miami Open, where she battled Pegula, falling in a closely contested three-set match.
Elena Rybakina, noted for her struggles during the North American events, seeks to shift her fortunes, as she has yet to advance beyond the third round of the US Open and has never reached a final during this part of the season.
The impressive entry list for the Cincinnati Open also includes Naomi Osaka, Mirra Andreeva, Petra Kvitova, and Madison Keys, each player adding to the competitive landscape of this prestigious tournament.
As the world of women’s tennis converges in Cincinnati, all eyes will be on the court dynamics and potential rivalries that could shape the upcoming US Open. With top contenders and exciting narratives at play, the stage is set for an exhilarating tournament.
