Iga Swiatek edges Elina Svitolina, advances to first final of 2026

Iga Swiatek is headed to her first WTA final of the season after beating Elina Svitolina 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 at the National Bank Open on Wednesday in Toronto.

The seventh-seeded Polish player last advanced to a title match at Cincinnati in 2025. She has won each of her past six finals and has an 11-2 career mark when playing for a championship.

In the final on Thursday, Swiatek will oppose the winner of the late Wednesday match featuring second-seeded Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan and fourth-seeded Coco Gauff.

Swiatek had only been in one individual semifinal before Wednesday, when she lost to Svitolina in mid-May on clay in Rome.

"Obviously you know it hasn't been an easy season, probably the toughest one in my life," Swiatek said postmatch on court. "... This week has been really positive and inspirational for me, and it always kind of shows that you need to keep going, you know, no matter what. ...

"I'm happy that the team is supporting me through the worst times, in the good times. It really means a lot. Without them for sure I wouldn't be here."

Svitolina, the ninth seed in Toronto, also defeated Swiatek at the quarterfinals in Indian Wells, Calif., this year. On Wednesday, the Ukrainian amassed 19 break points in Swiatek's serve but converted only five of them.

Swiatek also broke serve five times, on 13 opportunities.

--Field Level Media