Elena Rybakina defeated Magdalena Fręch 6-4, 7-6 in Cincinnati, taking the key moments on return. She converted three of 15 break points on Fręch's serve and saved two of the four break points she faced.
Fréch broke first for 1-0 in the opening set, but Rybakina levelled at 2-2 and then broke again in game 10 to close it out 6-4. In the second set, Fréch broke for 5-4 and served for the set, only for Rybakina to pull level at 5-5 and win the tiebreak.
The standout number was Rybakina's first serve: she won 81% of points behind it and collected 37 return points to Fręch's 16. Fręch saved 12 of 13 break points in the second set, but Rybakina converted the one that mattered at 5-5 and took the match despite four double faults.