Iga Swiatek reached her first final of the season at the Canadian Open on Wednesday, overcoming Elina Svitolina in a 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 victory. The former world number one, who claimed a Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows in 2022, secured a rain-delayed opening set before Svitolina shifted the momentum by breaking the Polish star twice in a dominant second set. Although Svitolina managed to take a 3-2 lead in the deciding set, Swiatek responded by winning four consecutive games to clinch the match.
Reflecting on her comeback, Swiatek told the Tennis Channel that she recognized the need to regain her rhythm and focus after the second set. She noted the difficulty of maintaining composure under pressure, adding, “It’s not easy to do that during a match – to keep your calm and your composure and follow the plan. I’m happy in the third set I did that and it paid off in the end. I didn’t doubt myself.” Swiatek’s season has been marked by inconsistency, including a quarter-final exit at a Grand Slam and a coaching change following a second-round loss to Magda Linette in Miami.
In the other semi-final, Elena Rybakina advanced to the final after defeating Coco Gauff 5-7, 6-2, 6-2. While Gauff narrowly took the first set, her performance faltered after dropping her serve in the second, allowing the 2022 Wimbledon champion to reel off five straight games. Rybakina solidified her control in the third set with two quick breaks and successfully defended against multiple break points to close out the victory.
This upcoming final marks a rematch of a 2022 encounter in Toronto, which Gauff won in three sets. Rybakina, currently ranked world number two, acknowledged the intensity of their rivalry, stating, “Last time we played, it was such a battle and even in practice, it’s always a close match.” She admitted to rushing her play in the opening set but expressed satisfaction with her resilience, noting that she has been pushed to three sets in four separate matches throughout this tournament.
The Australian Open champion Rybakina now prepares to face Swiatek for the title at this key U.S. Open tune-up event. Both players enter the final following grueling semi-final tests, setting the stage for a highly anticipated showdown on the hard courts of Toronto.
Kazakhstan’s Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon winner, broke twice in quick succession to take command of the third set and fought off a couple of break points to serve out the win.
Comments