Cincinnati Open 2025: Veronika Kudermetova Pulls Off Stunning Comeback Against Linette—Watch the Match Highlights

Veronika Kudermetova battled past Denmark’s Clara Tauson 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4 in a two-hour-46-minute thriller at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati on Wednesday. The victory propels the world No. 19 into the round of 16, matching her best career run at the Ohio WTA 1000 and setting up a high-stakes rematch with Poland’s Magda Linette, who upset Jessica Pegula earlier in the day. The Russian relied on clutch serving—winning 77 percent of first-serve points and firing six aces—to erase a one-set deficit and save a break point late in the second-set tiebreak. Although she converted just two of nine break chances, Kudermetova’s lone break in the fifth game of the decider proved decisive, as she dropped only three points on serve in the final set. Season snapshot • Overall 2025 record: 31-19 (18-10 on hard courts) • Prize money earned in Cincinnati so far: $56,678, with $50,222 more at stake for a quarter-final berth. Next challenge: Magda Linette Friday’s showdown will be the pair’s second meeting this season; Linette came from a set down to beat Kudermetova 3-6, 6-0, 6-4 in Doha last February, and she leads their head-to-head 1-0 on hard courts. The 32-year-old Pole, ranked No. 44, edged Pegula 7-6 (5), 3-6, 6-3 to reach the last 16 and appears rejuvenated after an injury-plagued spring. Keys to watch 1. First-serve percentage: Kudermetova’s serve set the tone against Tauson; maintaining a mid-60s clip will be critical versus Linette, one of the tour’s best returners on second serve. 2. Mid-court aggression: The Russian averaged 30+ winners per match on North American hard courts this summer and will need front-foot baseline pressure to avoid extended rallies. 3. Mental edge: Kudermetova has squandered double-digit break points in two of her last three outings; converting early opportunities could prevent Linette from dictating tempo. Ranking implications A quarter-final run would move Kudermetova back into the WTA top 15, erasing points lost at Wimbledon and giving her a valuable seeding cushion heading into the US Open. A deep Cincinnati push could also bolster her bid for a maiden berth at November’s WTA Finals in Riyadh. Bottom line Wednesday’s comeback underlined Kudermetova’s growing resilience on big stages. If she can clean up break-point efficiency and sustain her serving rhythm, the 27-year-old is positioned for her best Cincinnati result yet—and perhaps a statement summer on American hard courts.