Iga Swiatek approached the National Bank Open final with confidence given her impressive track record in WTA Tour finals, boasting a 25-5 record. The Polish player, ranked seventh, demonstrated her prowess by defeating Elena Rybakina with a convincing 6-2, 6-3 score at Sobeys Stadium in Toronto. Swiatek expressed being in the zone and emphasized her intention to make the match physically demanding.
Taking an early lead by breaking Rybakina’s serve in the first set, Swiatek maintained control throughout the match, utilizing a combination of net skills and a strong defensive game. Rybakina struggled to find her rhythm against Swiatek’s strategic play, resulting in Swiatek securing her first tournament title since September. Swiatek’s victory also marked her sixth consecutive season winning a WTA 1000 title.
With this win, Swiatek was projected to climb two spots to No. 6 in the world rankings, while Rybakina, the second seed, would retain her No. 2 ranking. Swiatek expressed gratitude for overcoming challenges during the season and highlighted the significance of winning against top players.
The victory earned Swiatek a prize of $1.09 million from the total purse of $7.43 million, while Rybakina received around $565,000. In other matches, Katerina Siniakova and Shuai Zhang claimed the doubles title. The men’s event saw Ben Shelton successfully defend his title against Brandon Nakashima, securing his seventh ATP Tour victory and moving up to sixth in the rankings. Shelton’s exceptional performance throughout the tournament, marked by his strong serving and strategic play, solidified his status as a top player.
The National Bank Open tournaments in Toronto and Montreal experienced weather challenges, leading organizers to adapt scheduling. Despite this, the events showcased high-quality tennis, with plans for a potential modernization project in Montreal to enhance the venue’s facilities. Tournament director Karl Hale indicated a focus on Montreal for the project, with discussions underway regarding funding and construction timelines. The tournaments received positive feedback, with the women’s event in Toronto setting a record attendance for the city.