Swiatek and Rybakina Set for Toronto Final: A Clash for the Top of the WTA
Poland's Iga Swiatek and Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina have advanced to the final of the WTA 1000 tournament in Toronto after three-set victories in the semifinals.
Poland's Iga Swiatek and Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina have advanced to the final of the WTA 1000 tournament in Toronto after three-set victories in the semifinals.
Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina will face off in the final of the WTA 1000 tournament in Toronto. Both came from behind to win their semifinal matches, setting up a clash between two players vying for the top spot in the world rankings.
Rybakina, the world No. 2 and winner of the Australian Open in January 2026, defeated American Coco Gauff, ranked fourth on the WTA list, with a score of 5-7, 6-2, 6-2. The Kazakhstani had to overcome a first-set deficit in the quarterfinals against Naomi Osaka as well, and she repeated that feat against Gauff.
In the other semifinal, Swiatek defeated Ukraine's Elina Svitolina 6-3, 1-6, 6-3. According to Channel News Asia, the Pole trailed 2-3 with a break down in the deciding set but then won the last four games to secure the victory.
The 27-year-old Rybakina is playing for her third title of the season in Toronto. She has a total of 13 career titles, including two Grand Slams-Wimbledon 2022 and the Australian Open 2026-and two WTA 1000 titles, Indian Wells and Rome in 2023. She also won the WTA Finals in 2025.
She is closing in on world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in the rankings. Against Gauff in Toronto, she played only their second meeting, with the American having won their first encounter in 2022.
"Last time we played, it was a big fight, and even in practice, it's always a tight match," Rybakina told Channel News Asia.
She added that she played well in the first set against Gauff but then rushed a bit. "I'm just happy I managed to win again in three sets," said Rybakina, who played her fourth three-set match of the tournament.
She also looked ahead to the upcoming clash with Swiatek: "It will be a very tough match again, and we know each other so well. We play so many times. In my case, I feel it's more about recovering after so many hours on court and bringing as much energy as possible."
For Swiatek, this is her first final of the season. The former world No. 1, who has six Grand Slam titles, including the US Open 2022 in Flushing Meadows, has had an inconsistent season. According to Channel News Asia, she did not advance past the quarterfinals at Grand Slams this year, and she also changed coaches after a surprising second-round loss in Miami to compatriot Magda Linette.
"After that second set, I knew I had to do everything I could to get back my rhythm and my game," Swiatek told the Tennis Channel.
She added that it's not easy to stay calm and composed during a match and stick to the plan. "I'm happy I did that in the third set and that it paid off in the end. I didn't doubt myself," the Pole said.
Swiatek also spoke about her tough season: "It hasn't been an easy season, probably the hardest in my life. This week has been really positive and inspiring for me, and it always kind of shows that you have to keep going no matter what."
The final of the WTA 1000 tournament in Toronto is scheduled after the semifinals played on August 13, 2026. This will be their 13th professional meeting, and the head-to-head is currently tied at six wins apiece. In their last encounter, which was also the only one this year, Rybakina won in straight sets in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open en route to the title.
