Iga Swiatek approached Thursday’s championship at the National Bank Open with high confidence, boasting a strong track record of 25 wins in WTA Tour final matches. The Polish player, seeded seventh, dominated the title clash against Elena Rybakina, securing a commanding 6-2, 6-3 victory under clear skies at Sobeys Stadium in Toronto. Swiatek expressed being in a focused mindset during the match, aiming to elevate the physicality of the game.
Taking an early lead by breaking Rybakina’s serve in the opening set, Swiatek showcased her versatility by maneuvering her opponent around the court and effectively neutralizing Rybakina’s potent forehand shots. Throughout the match, Swiatek’s strategic net play and solid defense kept Rybakina on the defensive, preventing her from finding a rhythm.
In the second set, Swiatek capitalized on another break opportunity at 2-2 before wrapping up the match in a swift 75 minutes. This victory marked Swiatek’s first tournament triumph since her win in Seoul last year, solidifying her reputation as the only player to clinch a WTA 1000 title in each of the last six seasons. The triumph also projected Swiatek to rise to the sixth position in the latest world rankings, while Rybakina, the second seed, maintained her ranking at No. 2.
Reflecting on her win, Swiatek expressed gratitude for overcoming challenges in the season and highlighted the significance of emerging victorious against tough competitors. With this win, Swiatek secured her 26th career WTA Tour title, earning a substantial share of the tournament’s prize money. In the doubles final, Katerina Siniakova and Shuai Zhang emerged victorious, defeating their opponents in a hard-fought match.
On the men’s side, Ben Shelton successfully defended his National Bank Open title by defeating Brandon Nakashima in an all-American final in Montreal. Shelton’s impressive performance throughout the tournament propelled him to secure his seventh ATP Tour victory. The win elevated Shelton to the sixth position in the ATP rankings, making him the first men’s player to achieve back-to-back victories at the Canadian Open since Rafael Nadal in 2019.
Shelton’s dominant display on serve and aggressive gameplay allowed him to claim victory in straight sets, showcasing his prowess on the court. Nakashima commended Shelton’s exceptional level of play and predicted a promising future for his fellow competitor. The doubles final saw Rafael Matos and Orlando Luz emerging triumphant after a fierce battle against their opponents.
Regarding venue updates, tournament director Karl Hale confirmed that Toronto currently has no immediate plans to introduce a retractable roof at IGA Stadium, contrasting Montreal’s proposed modernization project. The proposed project in Montreal aims to enhance the stadium’s facilities and increase capacity, with discussions underway regarding funding and construction timelines.
The tournaments in Toronto and Montreal faced weather challenges, leading organizers to adapt schedules accordingly. Despite the obstacles, both events witnessed exciting tennis action, with the women’s National Bank Open setting a new attendance record for WTA Toronto.