TORONTO — Iga Swiatek is making waves as she advances to the semifinals of the National Bank Open presented by Rogers.
The Polish tennis sensation took down Diana Shnaider in a commanding straight-set victory, 6-2, 6-1, at Centre Court in Sobeys Stadium on Monday night. Just two days after a tough three-set battle against the 10th-ranked Marta Kostyuk, the former world No. 1 showcased her prowess by swiftly overcoming the No. 15-ranked Shnaider in a mere 64 minutes.
Now seated at No. 7 in the NBO rankings, Swiatek is headed into her second semifinal of 2026, where she will meet ninth-ranked Elina Svitolina on Wednesday.
“This tournament is definitely showing promise compared to most of the events I’ve participated in this season,” Swiatek shared on the court post-match. “I’m embracing this opportunity to play in such a magnificent stadium, and I’m truly enjoying the experience.”
Her performance now stands in stark contrast to her earlier match against Kostyuk. After losing the first set 6-3, Swiatek has rediscovered her rhythm, dropping only six games and winning four consecutive sets since then.
“It’s not about one specific thing,” Swiatek commented on her recent success. “Particularly against such diverse opponents. With (Kostyuk), I was able to identify my mistakes more clearly instead of getting caught up in them. Today, I just executed the game plan. My focus was sharper; I felt much more in tune with the ball on my racquet.”
Swiatek, a six-time Grand Slam titleholder, opened strong while Shnaider seemed shaky at the outset. A double fault on the first point from Shnaider allowed Swiatek to seize an early break and a 1-0 lead. The competitors held serve in the following five games, but Swiatek managed another break at 5-2, closing out the set with a solid service game.
After both players held serve at the start of the second set, Swiatek executed a critical break to lead 2-1 in a tense game that saw two deuces. It quickly became clear that neither the challenging conditions nor her left-handed opponent would disrupt Swiatek’s focus.
“I believe I adapted well to the conditions,” she expressed. “It got sufficiently windy, perhaps the windiest match of the tournament for me, which posed a challenge. I also adjusted effectively to the lefty spin, striving to open the court efficiently.”
Shnaider, who shocked third-ranked Jessica Pegula in the round of 16, appeared off her game. The 22-year-old struggled with her forehand and won only 51% of her first-serve points, in stark contrast to Swiatek’s impressive 88% efficiency.
The strong serve that had been a highlight earlier in the tournament faltered against Swiatek. Already down a break in the second set, Shnaider faced critical pressure in the fifth game but couldn’t hold her ground. Swiatek capitalized, breaking her again and commanding the match after a long rally that sealed the game.
“At that moment, I had a strong feeling of where she was aiming—forehand down the line,” Swiatek elaborated, reflecting on the decisive points. “Reading the situation gave me an edge, but it’s also about fighting for every point. Some matches are clearly determined by speed or defensive positions, but today, I felt confident in my ability to counter. Sometimes it’s just pure luck, but I’m thrilled that I could convert defensive plays into points, making my overall game solid.”
By her high standards, Swiatek’s 2026 season has been rocky. After parting ways with former coach Wim Fissette in April, she’s now under the guidance of Francis Roig. As summer hardcourt tournaments commence, her fresh strategy is showing promise.
“Playing on clay, along with the external pressures I often face, sometimes clouded my mindset,” she explained. “I couldn’t maintain the clarity needed to consistently execute Roig’s strategies. Here, it feels like I’m finally making it second nature. This is the type of gameplay I aspire to: patient and composed, unlike last year when I played too flat and quickly, often making risky choices. This reflects the player I am striving to be.”
The outcome of her match speaks volumes.
