Cincinnati Open semifinals: The case for the final four

CINCINNATI -- Semifinal Saturday awaits as we're down to our final four at the 2026 Cincinnati Open.

In the day session, World No. 3 Jessica Pegula encounters defending champion and World No. 5 Iga Swiatek for the 13th time on the WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes Benz, while Coco Gauff and the unseeded surprise Sara Bejlek begin the night session. The winners will meet Sunday evening to hoist the Cincinnati Open trophy.

From order of play and notable quotes, here is the case for the final four.

Order of play

Stadium Court

Doubles final 11 a.m.: Marie Bouzkova & Linda Noskova vs. Magali Kempen & Alexandra Panova

ATP semifinal

Semifinal NB 3 p.m.: [3] Jessica Pegula (USA) vs [7] Iga Swiatek (POL)

ATP semifinal

Semifinal NB 7:30 p.m.: Sara Bejlek vs. [4] Coco Gauff or [10] Marta Kostyuk

Jessica Pegula vs. Iga Swiatek

Head to Head: Swiatek leads 7-5

Last meeting: Swiatek d. Pegula 6-1, 6-2 at 2026 Rome quarterfinals

Last hard-court meeting: Pegula d. Swiatek 6-2, 6-4 at 2024 US Open quarterfinals

The case for Pegula: Much of Pegula's success throughout this season and in her career has come on the hard courts though she also has a 2026 title on clay and reached a grass final. In Cincinnati, she's played some clutch tennis when it matters most with tight third-set victories over Sorana Cirstea and Amanda Anisimova in her last two rounds.

Against Anisimova, she absorbed her compatriot's pace very well and bounced back after a nervy second-set that saw Pegula take a medical timeout as a result of feeling a tweak when serving. Ultimately, it never worsened -- in fact, Pegula said it only improved -- and she's through to her seventh semifinal of the season. She hasn't played Swiatek on the surface in two years, and her low pace-setting style will have to affect the rhythm of Swiatek, who's looked flawless since switching back to the surface in Toronto.

"I would describe myself as pretty strategic and someone that's always open to learning and getting better," Pegula said Thursday. "I think I'm a great ball striker. I've only gotten better, even this year I've improved on so many things. I would describe myself as even-keeled and a balanced tennis players that's given me a lot of longevity and consistency over the last few years."

"I feel Iga has gotten back to her game a little bit, found her footing and her base with just winning matches," Pegula added. "We used to see her win pretty straightforward, nothing crazy. I think a confident Iga is always scary."

The case for Swiatek: The former World No. 1 is playing her best tennis of the season and playing the best of anyone on tour. With a title last week in Toronto, the momentum has not stopped and last year's Cincinnati winner is a force to be reckoned with. The Pole has been meticulous with her shot selection, been patient on the attack and showcased strong defense.

It was an unfortunate ending to her quarterfinal match with Elena Rybakina, who retired with a left ankle injury, though Swiatek was thoroughly pleased with the five games she did play. Overall, Swiatek has lost four of the five meetings on hard court against Pegula, but riding the form she has shown should make this an entertaining matchup.

"Jessie looks different than me on the court, but she has a great feeling and great ability to predict where the opponents are going to play," Swiatek said Thursday. "So the ball is really hard coming from her racquet and tricky. For sure, it's going to be a challenge.

"American players also are more pumped to play in American tournaments, so I'll be ready for her best version. We played many tough matches against each other, and for sure she likes also playing here, so I'll be ready."

Coco Gauff vs. Sara Bejlek

Head to Head: Saturday will be their first meeting

The case for Gauff: After a tough second-round battle against Liudmila Samsonova, Gauff has dominated and is through to her second straight semifinal following a strong run to a title and fifth of the season. Though the 22-year-old hasn't won a title this season, she's been relatively consistent all year and is just seeking to get over the finish line.

Gauff's game should stack up well against Bejlek as the American employs a diverse shot selection, covers the court the best of anyone on tour and can likely handle Bejlek's lofted style. She handled Kostyuk, who's reached back to back Grand Slam semifinals with ease, and her last two tournaments has dropped just two sets.

"Sara's a great player," Gauff said Friday. "I've heard of her before, but at first, I watched her a lot in Abu Dhabi this year. She won that title. She's such an athletic, fast player, really makes you earn every point."

The case for Bejlek: En route to the semifinals Bejlek has beaten a former No. 1 in Karolina Pliskova, current No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and additonal Grand Slam champions in Madison Keys and Barbora Krejcikova. She's the underdog story of the Cincinnati Open and stands as the last seeded player remaining.

Her lofted ball can disrupt the flow of the rallies and has been difficult for her opponents to navigate on the Ohio hard courts. Given her 5-foot-3 stature, the shot in particular helps her extend rallies in addition to her excellent footwork. She bursted onto the scene with her win in Abu Dhabi in February, and the switch back to hard courts was one she welcomed with open arms.

"I just keep believing and my team was helping me a lot today mentally," Bejlek said Friday. "I was just trying to focus on myself, no matter what is going on the other side of the court."

"I think it's increasing during the season," Bejlek added on her belief. "We had a big talk with my team a couple weeks ago and since that moment I feel that it's going quite well. I'm getting better in believing in myself and improving physically on the court."

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