World No. 3 defeated Jessica Pegula 6-3, 7-5 in the final.
Aryna Sabalenka triumphed at the high-profile tennis tournament in Cincinnati after overcoming host Jessica Pegula in straight sets, 6-3, 7-5, in about an hour and 15 minutes of play.
The world number 3 needed one break in the opening set to take the lead. The Belarusian was serving magnificently to 5-4 and service for the title when she broke. However, sixth seed Pegula capitulated on her next serve and this time Sabalenka showed no mercy as she warmed up in excellent fashion for the final Grand Slam of the season, the US Open.
Last year's New York finalist finished with 10 aces and just 1 double fault, losing just three points on first serve and six on second serve throughout the match against Pegula. In the semifinals, Sabalenka stopped world number 1 Iga Šviontek after another strong performance.
For her, this is the 15th title in the professional career and the sixth from the WTA 1000 category. Sabalenka rejoiced with a trophy for the second time in the year after the triumph of the Australian Open in January.
Pegula, 30, remains with six titles in her bag, having failed to win another trophy this month after earlier beating Amanda Anisimova in contention for the trophy in Toronto. | BGNES
