Iga Swiatek was filled with confidence heading into the National Bank Open final on Thursday. With a remarkable 25-5 record in WTA Tour final matches, the Polish player excels under pressure. She dominated Elena Rybakina in a decisive 6-2, 6-3 victory at Sobeys Stadium in Toronto.
Swiatek took control early in the match, breaking Rybakina’s serve in the first set. Throughout the game, Swiatek showcased her versatility, utilizing her net skills and solid defense to keep Rybakina off balance. Rybakina struggled to find her rhythm as Swiatek secured another break in the second set, ultimately sealing the win in just 75 minutes.
This triumph marked Swiatek’s first tournament victory since last September and made her the only player to clinch a WTA 1000 title in each of the last six seasons. Following her win, Swiatek is set to rise to No. 6 in the world rankings, while Rybakina will maintain her No. 2 position.
In the men’s final, Ben Shelton successfully defended his National Bank Open title by defeating Brandon Nakashima in straight sets. Shelton’s exceptional performance earned him his seventh career ATP Tour victory and propelled him to sixth in the tour’s rankings. He became the first player since Rafael Nadal in 2019 to achieve back-to-back wins at the Canadian Open.
Shelton’s flawless serve and strategic gameplay were on full display as he dominated the match, not giving Nakashima any break-point opportunities. Despite Nakashima’s efforts, Shelton’s consistency and power proved too much to handle.
The day also saw Brazil’s Rafael Matos and Orlando Luz claim victory in the doubles final. Meanwhile, discussions continue regarding the potential modernization of the IGA Stadium in Montreal, with no immediate plans for a similar project in Toronto. Both cities faced challenges due to inclement weather during the tournaments.
