Swiatek beats Svitolina in Toronto to reach Canadian Open final
Iga Swiatek defeated Elina Svitolina 6-3 1-6 6-3 in Toronto to reach the Canadian Open final on 13 August 2026, marking her first WTA final of the season.
The 25-year-old, a six-time Grand Slam champion, is now bidding for the 26th title of her professional career and had not reached a final since winning Cincinnati 12 months ago; she had only made one semi-final this year. "It hasn't been an easy season, probably the toughest one in my life," said seventh seed Swiatek. "This week has been really positive and inspirational for me, and it always kind of shows that you need to keep going no matter what."
Swiatek withstood a comeback attempt from Svitolina to close out the three-set victory and secure a place in the Toronto final. The match score of 6-3 1-6 6-3 completed her run through the semi-finals of the Canadian Open.
Elena Rybakina reached the other side of the final after rallying past Coco Gauff 5-7 6-2 6-2, having lost the opening set before winning four consecutive games to take the second. The world number two had also recovered from a deficit in her quarter-final against Naomi Osaka.
Reflecting on her semi-final, 27-year-old Rybakina said: "I feel like in the first set we were playing well but then I rushed it a little bit," and added, "I'm just glad that I managed to win again in three sets." She will face Swiatek in Friday's final.
The championship match will be the 13th professional meeting between Swiatek and Rybakina, with both players holding six wins apiece; their only meeting in 2026 came in straight sets in the Australian Open quarter-finals during Rybakina's Australian Open-winning campaign.
In the men's Canadian Open, Ben Shelton will face fellow American Brandon Nakashima in the Montreal final after Shelton and Nakashima won their semi-finals in straight sets against Learner Tien and Rafael Jodar respectively; a victory for Nakashima would secure his first Masters 1,000 title and the most prestigious win of his career, while Shelton is aiming to retain the title and claim his seventh ATP tournament.
Friday's scheduled finals therefore feature Swiatek versus Rybakina for the women's Canadian Open title in Toronto and Shelton against Nakashima for the men's crown in Montreal.