Swiatek reaches her first final of season at Canadian Open

Iga Swiatek battled back from a deficit in the deciding set to defeat Elina Svitolina 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 at the Canadian Open, reaching her first final of the season. The victory at the U.S. Open tune-up event in Toronto marks a crucial point for the Polish player after a challenging year.

Swiatek, a former world number one and 2022 U.S. Open champion, secured the first set before Svitolina leveled the match. In the final set, Svitolina broke Swiatek's serve to take a 3-2 lead. However, Swiatek regrouped, winning the last four games to clinch the win.

“

After that second set I knew I had to do everything I could to get my rhythm and my game back. It's not easy to do that during a match - to keep your calm and your composure and follow the plan. I'm happy in the third set I did that and it paid off in the end. I didn't doubt myself.

"After that second set I knew I had to do everything I could to get my rhythm and my game back," Swiatek told Tennis Channel. "It's not easy to do that during a match - to keep your calm and your composure and follow the plan. I'm happy in the third set I did that and it paid off in the end. I didn't doubt myself."

“

This is an amazing opportunity for me and one I had to grasp. When the chance to join Manchester City comes along, you have to take it. Everyone knows what an impressive club this is.

This season has been inconsistent for Swiatek, who has not advanced past the quarterfinals at a Grand Slam and suffered an unexpected defeat in Miami. These results led her to replace coach Wim Fissette with Francisco Roig. She also faced an early exit at Wimbledon, where she was the defending champion.

Swiatek is set to face either Coco Gauff or Elena Rybakina in the final of the WTA 1000 event on Thursday.

“

This is a dream for me as Chelsea are one of the biggest clubs in the world. It is a big opportunity but I am prepared and will work hard to help the team achieve success.