Iga Swiatek demonstrated confidence heading into the National Bank Open final match on Thursday, boasting a strong track record of 25 wins and 5 losses in WTA Tour finals. The Polish seventh seed excelled under pressure and swiftly secured a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Elena Rybakina in Toronto. Swiatek’s strategic play and aggressive approach kept Rybakina on her toes throughout the match, with Swiatek showcasing her net skills and defensive prowess.
Elena Rybakina struggled to find her rhythm as Swiatek capitalized on key moments, earning critical breaks to secure the win in just 75 minutes. This victory marked Swiatek’s first tournament triumph since her Seoul win last year and solidified her status as the only player to claim a WTA 1000 title in each of the past six seasons.
Following her victory, Swiatek was set to climb two spots to No. 6 in the world rankings, while Rybakina would maintain her ranking at No. 2. Swiatek expressed her gratitude for overcoming challenges this season and emphasized the significance of defeating top players.
Swiatek’s win also came with a substantial prize, earning her a share of $1.09 million from the overall purse of $7.43 million. In the doubles final, Katerina Siniakova and Shuai Zhang emerged victorious, defeating Sara Errani and Nicole Melichar-Martinez.
In Montreal, Ben Shelton successfully defended his National Bank Open title by defeating Brandon Nakashima in an all-American final. Shelton’s exceptional performance earned him his seventh career ATP Tour victory, solidifying his position as a rising star in the tennis world. Shelton’s dominant play, especially on serve, showcased his prowess as he clinched the title without dropping a set.
The 23-year-old’s impressive win was complemented by Rafael Matos and Orlando Luz’s victory over Mate Pavic and Marcelo Arevalo in the doubles final. Meanwhile, tournament director Karl Hale revealed that Toronto currently has no immediate plans to follow Montreal’s lead in installing a retractable roof at IGA Stadium, emphasizing the focus on Montreal’s modernization plans.
Despite weather challenges at both the WTA Tour in Toronto and the ATP Tour in Montreal, the tournaments proceeded smoothly, with Hale praising the success of the women’s National Bank Open and the record attendance in Toronto.