Swiatek rolls past Rybakina for WTA Toronto title / Photo: MATTHEW STOCKMAN - GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
Swiatek rolls past Rybakina for WTA Toronto title
Former world number one Iga Swiatek captured her first title of the year on Thursday, roaring past a weary-looking Elena Rybakina 6-2, 6-3 to win the WTA 1000 in Toronto.
Swiatek, a six-time Grand Slam champion, hadn't even reached a final in 2026 and saw her Wimbledon title defense end in the third round.
But she was in control throughout against second-ranked Australian Open winner Rybakina on the way to a first Canadian crown that will see her rise from eighth in the world back into the top five with the US Open approaching.
Rybakina had been on court until 1 am in polishing off a semi-final win over Coco Gauff and got off to a sluggish start, gifting Swiatek a break in the opening game with a pair of double faults.
She shook it off to hold at love in her next two service games, but after Rybakina failed to convert a pair of break chances in the sixth game, Swiatek broke her again for a 5-2 lead to find herself serving for the opening set after barely more than 20 minutes.
Swiatek, looking supremely confident on serve, pocketed the set with a love game, delivering a swerving second-serve winner on set point.
She was largely untroubled in the second, taking control with a break for 3-2 and breaking Rybakina again in the final game with a backhand winner on her second match point.
L.Amro--CdE
