Iga Swiatek demonstrated her prowess in the National Bank Open title match on Thursday, boasting a remarkable 25-5 record in WTA Tour final appearances. The seventh-seeded player from Poland excels under pressure, as seen in her dominant performance against Elena Rybakina, clinching a convincing 6-2, 6-3 victory at Sobeys Stadium in Toronto on a delightful summer evening.
Swiatek expressed being in the “zone” and emphasized her focus on making the match physically demanding. She took an early lead by breaking Rybakina’s serve in the first set, capitalizing on her opponent’s double faults. Throughout the match, Swiatek showcased her adept net skills and solid defensive game, keeping Rybakina on the defensive and preventing her from finding her rhythm.
Securing another break in the second set at 2-2, Swiatek sealed her win in a brisk 75 minutes. This triumph marked Swiatek’s first tournament victory since her Seoul win last September, making her the sole player to claim a WTA 1000 title in each of the past six seasons.
Following her victory, Swiatek is expected to rise two spots to No. 6 in the latest world rankings, while Rybakina, the second seed, will maintain her position at No. 2. Swiatek expressed gratitude for her win, acknowledging the challenges she faced throughout the season and the significance of emerging victorious against top-tier opponents.
With her 26th career WTA Tour title, Swiatek earned a share of $1.09 million from the overall purse of $7.43 million. In other matches, Katerina Siniakova and Shuai Zhang claimed the doubles title, while Ben Shelton secured his seventh ATP Tour win by defeating Brandon Nakashima in an all-American final in Montreal.
Shelton, the fifth seed, showcased exceptional form throughout the tournament, not dropping a set and delivering an impressive performance in the final. His victory marked his second consecutive ATP Masters 1000 title and propelled him to sixth in the tour rankings. Shelton’s commanding display on serve, coupled with his clinical play, earned him accolades from spectators and fellow players.
Nakashima, despite a valiant effort, succumbed to Shelton’s superior play, acknowledging his opponent’s exceptional skill and predicting a bright future for the rising star. The doubles final saw Rafael Matos and Orlando Luz emerging victorious after a hard-fought battle against Mate Pavic and Marcelo Arevalo.
As for the tournament venues, Toronto currently has no immediate plans to install a retractable roof like the one proposed for IGA Stadium in Montreal. The modernization project in Montreal aims to enhance the stadium’s capacity and facilities, with Tennis Canada actively engaging in discussions with government entities for potential funding.
The tournaments in Toronto and Montreal faced weather-related challenges, necessitating adjustments throughout the competitions. Despite the disruptions, both events witnessed outstanding performances and record attendance figures, underscoring the growing popularity and success of professional tennis in Canada.
