Iga Swiatek confidently clinched the National Bank Open title match on Thursday, maintaining her stellar record of 25 wins and 5 losses in WTA Tour finals. The Polish seventh seed dominated Elena Rybakina with a decisive 6-2, 6-3 victory under the bright lights at Sobeys Stadium in Toronto. Swiatek’s strategic play and aggressive approach kept Rybakina on the defensive throughout the match.
Reflecting on her performance, Swiatek expressed being “in the zone” and focused on intensifying the physicality of the game. Taking an early lead in the first set, Swiatek capitalized on Rybakina’s double faults to secure a crucial break. Displaying a mix of net skills and solid defense, Swiatek controlled the game, leaving Rybakina struggling to find her rhythm.
In the second set, Swiatek continued her dominance, securing another break at 2-2 and eventually closing out the match in just 75 minutes. This victory marked Swiatek’s first tournament win since her triumph in Seoul last year, solidifying her status as the only player to claim a WTA 1000 title in each of the last six seasons.
Swiatek’s stellar performance is set to elevate her to the sixth spot in the latest world rankings, while Rybakina will maintain her position at number two. With this win, Swiatek’s 26th career WTA Tour title earned her a significant share of the $7.43 million US overall prize purse.
On the men’s side, Ben Shelton secured his seventh ATP Tour win by successfully defending his National Bank Open title against Brandon Nakashima in Montreal. Shelton’s exceptional performance, including a powerful serve and clinical play, earned him a straight-sets victory, solidifying his position as a top player in the tour rankings.
The women’s doubles final saw Katerina Siniakova and Shuai Zhang defeating Sara Errani and Nicole Melichar-Martinez, while in the men’s doubles final, Rafael Matos and Orlando Luz outlasted Mate Pavic and Marcelo Arevalo. The tournament also witnessed the absence of defending champion Victoria Mboko due to a knee injury.
Looking ahead, there are no immediate plans to introduce a retractable roof at the Toronto tennis venue, with organizers focusing on modernization projects in Montreal to enhance the tournament experience for players and spectators alike. Despite weather challenges during both the women’s and men’s events, the competitions showcased exceptional talent and drew record attendance, setting the stage for future tennis excellence.