TORONTO, Canada — Iga Swiatek fought back from a deciding-set deficit to defeat Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 at the Canadian Open on Wednesday, reaching her first final of the 2026 season at the WTA 1000 tournament in Toronto.
- First final of 2026: Swiatek has reached her first championship match of the season in Toronto.
- Three-set comeback: The Polish former world No. 1 recovered after Svitolina took a 3-2 lead in the deciding set.
- Final opponent: Swiatek will meet either Coco Gauff or Elena Rybakina in Thursday’s final.
- Season turnaround: The result comes after an inconsistent campaign that included early Grand Slam exits and a coaching change.
Swiatek battles past Svitolina in Toronto
Swiatek controlled the opening set after play was delayed by rain, taking it 6-3. Svitolina responded strongly in the second set, breaking Swiatek twice and levelling the match with a 6-1 scoreline.
The Ukrainian then appeared to gain the upper hand in the decider when she broke Swiatek to move 3-2 ahead. The former world No. 1, however, regained her composure and produced a decisive response, winning the next four games to close out the match.
“After that second set I knew I had to do everything I could to get my rhythm and my game back,” Swiatek told Tennis Channel.
Swiatek said maintaining her composure after losing the second set was crucial. She also credited her ability to return to her planned approach during the final set for helping her complete the comeback.
“I’m happy in the third set I did that and it paid off in the end. I didn’t doubt myself.”
Canadian Open final offers Swiatek chance for first title of season
The victory gives Swiatek an opportunity to claim her first title of the season. The Toronto tournament is also serving as a major preparation event ahead of the U.S. Open.
Swiatek, who won one of her six Grand Slam titles at the U.S. Open in 2022, has not advanced beyond the quarter-finals at a Grand Slam during the current season.
Her campaign has included several setbacks. She suffered a surprise second-round defeat to compatriot Magda Linette in Miami and later lost to Alexandra Eala in the third round at Wimbledon, where she entered the tournament as defending champion.
Coaching change followed Miami setback
The defeat in Miami prompted Swiatek to make a change within her coaching team. She parted ways with Wim Fissette and appointed Francisco Roig as her new coach.
The run in Toronto now gives Swiatek a chance to turn an inconsistent season into a stronger build-up to the final Grand Slam of the year. Reaching the final also marks her deepest tournament run of 2026 so far.
Who will Swiatek face in the Canadian Open final?
Swiatek’s opponent in the Toronto final will be determined by the other semi-final between Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina. The winner of that contest will face the Polish star in Thursday’s championship match.
The final will provide Swiatek with an opportunity to convert her breakthrough run of the season into a tournament title, while her opponent will be aiming to prevent her from completing the Toronto campaign with silverware.
