Iga Swiatek displayed remarkable confidence heading into the National Bank Open final on Thursday. With a strong track record of 25-5 in WTA Tour final matches, the Polish seventh seed excels under pressure. Swiatek dominated Elena Rybakina in a decisive 6-2, 6-3 victory at Sobeys Stadium in Toronto on a beautiful summer evening.
Expressing her focus during the match, Swiatek mentioned being “in the zone” and emphasized her intention to make the game physical. Taking an early lead by breaking Rybakina’s serve in the first set, Swiatek showcased her strategic play, utilizing her net skills and solid defense to keep her opponent off balance.
Securing another break in the second set at 2-2, Swiatek sealed the win in just 75 minutes. This victory marked Swiatek’s first tournament triumph since her Seoul win last September, making her the sole player to clinch a WTA 1000 title in each of the last six seasons.
Following her win, Swiatek was projected to climb two spots to No. 6 in the latest world rankings, while Rybakina, the second seed, would maintain her position at No. 2. Swiatek expressed gratitude for overcoming challenges in the season and winning against tough opponents, highlighting the significance of her victory.
The prize money for Swiatek’s 26th WTA Tour title amounted to $1.09 million from the $7.43 million overall purse, with Rybakina receiving around $565,000. In the doubles final earlier in the day, Katerina Siniakova from Czechia and Shuai Zhang from China defeated Sara Errani from Italy and Nicole Melichar-Martinez from the United States in straight sets.
In the men’s event, Ben Shelton successfully defended his National Bank Open title by defeating Brandon Nakashima in an all-American final in Montreal. Shelton, the fifth seed, secured his seventh career ATP Tour victory and moved up to sixth in the rankings. This win marked his second consecutive ATP Masters 1000 title, with him being the first player to achieve back-to-back wins at the Canadian Open since Rafael Nadal in 2019.
Shelton’s exceptional performance included serving at 230 kilometers per hour without conceding a break-point chance, ultimately winning the match in one hour and 27 minutes. Nakashima praised Shelton’s outstanding play and expressed confidence in Shelton’s future success in the sport.
The article also touched on the absence of immediate plans to install a retractable roof at IGA Stadium in Toronto, contrasting with the proposed modernization plans for the Montreal venue. The Montreal project aims to enhance the stadium’s capacity and facilities, with ongoing discussions regarding funding and construction timelines.
Overall, the tournaments in Toronto and Montreal faced weather challenges but culminated in successful and exciting events, drawing record attendance and showcasing top-level tennis talent.