Aryna Sabalenka earned her second title this year on Monday, beating Jessica Pegula 6-3, 7-5 in the Cincinnati Open final. The champion in Melbourne, Sabalenka was the third seed in Ohio.
She beat the number 6 seed in an hour and a quarter to conclude a tournament in which she did not drop a single set in five matches.
Sabalenka notably eliminated the favourite Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals.
On Monday, the 26-year-old Belarusian dominated 3-1 in breaks and 10-5 in aces, en route to her 15th career title. Sabalenka also committed only one double fault, compared to five for her rival.
Pegula was trying to win a second straight tournament, after the Toronto leg of the National Bank Open. She had been undefeated in nine games.
Sabalenka will take the number 2 spot in the WTA from Coco Gauff.
It was the seventh meeting between Sabalenka and Pegula, but the first in a final. The former now has a 5-2 advantage over the American.
Absent from Wimbledon due to shoulder problems, Sabalenka returned to action two weeks ago at the Washington Open.
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