Swiatek to face Rybakina in Toronto final after hard-fought semis

Iga Swiatek is set to compete in her first final of the year after outlasting Elina Svitolina 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 in a hard-fought semifinal. The Polish star will face world number two Elena Rybakina for the Toronto title.

“

Against Elina it's always tough, so I'm happy that I won this one. Especially that I came back in the third set playing better. So, yeah, that's for sure a big improvement. I'm proud of myself.

Rybakina, the Australian Open champion, secured her spot in the final with a comeback victory over fourth-seed Coco Gauff, winning 5-7, 6-2, 6-2. This marks Rybakina's third title match of the season, following wins in Melbourne and Stuttgart. Her performance in Toronto is also bringing her closer to challenging Aryna Sabalenka for the world number one ranking ahead of the US Open.

“

Mostly I just wanted to adjust the quality. Because tactics can't do much if you're just not hitting the ball right. I knew I can do it, because I did it in the first set. I'm happy that I was patient enough to do that and didn't get disappointed or didn't give up.

Swiatek, the seventh seed, described the match against Svitolina as "always tough" but was pleased with her ability to improve her game in the third set. "I just wanted to adjust the quality," Swiatek said. "Because tactics can't do much if you're just not hitting the ball right. I knew I can do it, because I did it in the first set. I'm happy that I was patient enough to do that and didn't get disappointed or didn't give up."

“

She served really well in the first set. It was pretty close the first one, and then I feel like on my serve I rushed a little bit in the end.

Meanwhile, Rybakina reflected on her semifinal win, noting the importance of seizing opportunities. After a tight first set against Gauff, Rybakina felt she had rushed her own service games. "I knew that I need to start straight away the second set well. I'm happy that I did a couple of good returns, and then things turned around," she stated. She also suggested that the adrenaline from previous matches might have contributed to her performance, adding, "So, I got my opportunities, I took them."

“

I knew that I need to start straight away the second set well. I'm happy that I did a couple of good returns, and then things turned around.