Iga Swiatek showed her dominance heading into the National Bank Open final match on Thursday. With a remarkable 25-5 record in WTA Tour final appearances, the Polish seventh seed excels under pressure. Swiatek took control early against Elena Rybakina, securing a convincing 6-2, 6-3 win at Sobeys Stadium in Toronto on a beautiful summer evening.
“I was completely focused,” Swiatek commented. “My goal was to make the match intense.”
Breaking Rybakina’s serve in the first set, Swiatek utilized her strategic net play and solid defense to keep her opponent off balance. Rybakina struggled to find her rhythm, with Swiatek dictating play throughout the match.
In the second set, Swiatek secured another break at 2-2 before wrapping up the victory in just 75 minutes. This win marked Swiatek’s first tournament triumph since her Seoul victory last September, making her the only player to win a WTA 1000 title in each of the last six seasons.
Projected to climb to No. 6 in the world rankings, Swiatek expressed her gratitude for overcoming challenges this season and emerging victorious against tough opponents.
With her 26th WTA Tour title, Swiatek earned a significant portion of the $7.43 million US prize purse, taking home $1.09 million. In the doubles final, Katerina Siniakova and Shuai Zhang defeated Sara Errani and Nicole Melichar-Martinez in straight sets.
In the men’s final, Ben Shelton successfully defended his National Bank Open title by defeating Brandon Nakashima. Shelton’s exceptional performance earned him his seventh career ATP Tour victory, moving him up to sixth in the rankings. Shelton’s impressive display without dropping a set throughout the tournament highlighted his exceptional form and determination on the court.
Despite Nakashima’s efforts, Shelton’s dominance prevailed, showcasing his prowess and securing his second consecutive title. The victory marked a significant milestone for Shelton, solidifying his position as a top player in the ATP Tour.
Regarding the future of the tournament venues, Toronto has no immediate plans to follow Montreal’s proposed retractable roof project at IGA Stadium. Tournament director Karl Hale emphasized Toronto’s focus on Montreal’s stadium upgrades, with discussions ongoing about potential improvements and funding for the future.
Both the women’s and men’s events faced challenges due to inclement weather, leading to adjustments in scheduling. The proposed Montreal modernization project aims to enhance the facility’s capacity and amenities, with plans for expansion and improvements underway.
Hale commended the women’s National Bank Open as a resounding success, noting record-breaking attendance figures and an outstanding showcase of talent throughout the tournament.