Iga Swiatek was well-prepared and confident as she stepped onto the court for the National Bank Open title match on Thursday. With an impressive 25-5 record in WTA Tour finals, the Polish seventh seed excels in high-pressure situations. She dominated the game against Elena Rybakina, securing a decisive 6-2, 6-3 victory under the evening skies at Sobeys Stadium in Toronto.
Swiatek expressed being in the “zone” and focused on making the match physically demanding. Taking an early lead by breaking Rybakina’s serve in the first set, Swiatek showcased her strategic play, utilizing her net skills and defensive prowess. Throughout the match, Rybakina struggled to find her rhythm, with Swiatek maintaining control and clinching the win in just 75 minutes.
Reflecting on her triumph, Swiatek highlighted the significance of her victory, especially after facing challenges earlier in the season. The win marked Swiatek’s first tournament title since her Seoul victory in September last year. Additionally, she achieved a remarkable feat as the only player to secure a WTA 1000 title in each of the last six seasons.
Following her victory, Swiatek is set to climb two spots in the latest world rankings, reaching the sixth position. On the other hand, Rybakina, the second seed, will maintain her current ranking at number two. The victory not only brought Swiatek her 26th career WTA Tour title but also earned her a significant share of the tournament’s prize purse, amounting to $1.09 million.
In the men’s final, Ben Shelton successfully defended his National Bank Open title by defeating Brandon Nakashima in an all-American showdown. With seven career ATP Tour victories, Shelton showcased exceptional performance throughout the tournament, securing his second consecutive ATP Masters 1000 title. The win propelled him to the sixth position in the tour’s rankings, making him the first player since Rafael Nadal in 2019 to achieve back-to-back victories at the Canadian Open.
Shelton’s dominant display on serve, coupled with his clinical gameplay, allowed him to claim the title without dropping a set. Nakashima, despite his efforts, could not match Shelton’s level of play, acknowledging the American’s potential to be a top player in the future.
The doubles final saw Brazil’s Rafael Matos and Orlando Luz emerge victorious over Croatia’s Mate Pavic and El Salvador’s Marcelo Arevalo after a competitive match. Meanwhile, discussions surrounding a proposed modernization project for the tournament venues in Toronto and Montreal are ongoing, with plans to potentially enhance the facilities and fan experience in the future.
