Iga Swiatek was full of confidence going into the championship match at the National Bank Open on Thursday. With a strong track record of 25 victories in WTA Tour finals, the Polish seventh seed excels under pressure. She dominated Elena Rybakina in a decisive 6-2, 6-3 win under the evening lights at Sobeys Stadium in Toronto.
Swiatek expressed being in a focused state, stating, “I was really in the zone and aimed to make the match physical.” She took control early by breaking Rybakina’s serve in the first set, capitalizing on the Kazakh’s errors. Throughout the match, Swiatek showcased her versatile skills, including net play and solid defense, keeping Rybakina on the defensive.
In the second set, Swiatek secured another critical break at 2-2 before swiftly closing out the match in just 75 minutes. This victory marked Swiatek’s first tournament win since her Seoul triumph last September, making her the sole player to clinch a WTA 1000 title in each of the past six seasons.
Following the win, Swiatek was projected to climb two places in the world rankings to No. 6, while Rybakina, the second seed, maintained her No. 2 position. Swiatek expressed gratitude for overcoming challenges this season, emphasizing the significance of winning against strong opponents.
Swiatek’s triumph earned her a 26th career WTA Tour title and a share of the $7.43 million US total prize money. Rybakina received around $565,000 for her runner-up finish. Additionally, in the doubles final, Katerina Siniakova of Czechia and Shuai Zhang of China defeated Sara Errani of Italy and Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States 6-3, 6-4.
In a separate event, Ben Shelton secured his seventh ATP Tour victory by successfully defending his National Bank Open title against Brandon Nakashima in Montreal. Shelton’s exceptional performance, including a straight-set win and an impressive service game, led to his rise to sixth in the ATP Tour rankings.
The 23-year-old’s dominant display on the court, coupled with his unwavering serve, highlighted his exceptional skills. Despite Nakashima’s efforts to match Shelton’s power, the latter’s consistency and tactical plays secured him the title. Shelton’s remarkable form throughout the tournament underscored his growth and determination in the sport.
As for the venue, while Montreal considers modernization plans with a retractable roof at IGA Stadium, Toronto currently has no immediate plans for such upgrades. The recent tournaments faced weather challenges, prompting organizers to adapt schedules to ensure smooth proceedings. Discussions about the proposed Montreal project are ongoing, focusing on enhancing the stadium’s capacity and facilities to elevate the overall tennis experience.
The women’s National Bank Open was hailed as a success, with an estimated record attendance of about 215,000, making it a memorable event for tennis enthusiasts in Toronto.