Aryna Sabalenka claimed her 15th career title and her first in Cincinnati by ending Jessica Pegula 6-3, 7-5 on Monday.
Her title in Cincinnati is her second title of the year and first since the Australian Open. The 26-year-old Sabalenka will overtake Coco Gauff and return to No. 2 on the PIF WTA Rankings. She will also pass Elena Rybakina to sit at No. 2 on the PIF Race to the WTA Finals Leaderboard.
Sabalenka can now be considered a favorite at the U.S. Open, which begins on Aug. 26 in New York. The Belarusian missed Wimbledon with a shoulder injury, then returned to the tour in Washington two weeks ago.