Iga Swiatek showcased her winning prowess in the National Bank Open title match on Thursday, entering the game with a remarkable 25-5 record in WTA Tour finals. The Polish seventh seed dominated Elena Rybakina in a decisive 6-2, 6-3 victory under the lights at Sobeys Stadium in Toronto.
Swiatek took charge early on, breaking Rybakina’s serve in the first set after the Kazakh player made consecutive double faults. Throughout the match, Swiatek’s strategic play kept Rybakina on the defensive, showcasing her net skills and solid defensive game. The match lasted 75 minutes, with Swiatek securing another crucial break in the second set before closing out the win.
This triumph marked Swiatek’s first title since her Seoul victory last September, making her the only player to clinch a WTA 1000 title in each of the past six seasons. Projected to climb to No. 6 in the world rankings, Swiatek expressed her gratitude for overcoming the challenges of the season and emerging victorious against formidable opponents.
With her 26th career WTA Tour title, Swiatek earned a significant share of the $7.43 million US purse, taking home $1.09 million. In the doubles final, Katerina Siniakova and Shuai Zhang defeated Sara Errani and Nicole Melichar-Martinez to claim the title after an 80-minute battle.
Meanwhile, in the men’s competition, Ben Shelton secured his seventh ATP Tour win by defending his National Bank Open title against Brandon Nakashima in Montreal. The fifth-seeded Shelton, who also triumphed in Dallas, Munich, and Stuttgart this year, dominated the final without dropping a set, showcasing impeccable serve and return skills.
Shelton’s victory elevated him to sixth in the ATP Tour rankings, becoming the first male player to achieve back-to-back wins at the Canadian Open since Rafael Nadal in 2019. The American player’s stellar performance and unwavering focus throughout the tournament highlighted his exceptional talent on the court.
Looking ahead, tournament director Karl Hale revealed that there are currently no immediate plans to install a retractable roof at Toronto’s IGA Stadium, despite ongoing discussions about modernization projects in Montreal. The proposed upgrades aim to enhance the facilities and spectator experience, aligning with Tennis Canada’s vision for the long-term development of the National Bank Open.
The 2026 National Bank Open showcased exceptional talent and fierce competition, drawing record attendance and setting the stage for future tennis events in Canada.