TORONTO — Iga Swiatek had a strong message for herself.
After a swift and dominating first set in Wednesday’s semifinal against Elina Svitolina, Swiatek found herself grappling with unexpected struggles in the second. The world No. 8 knew she couldn’t linger on the past — even if it was only moments ago.
“It’s not going to be easy,” she reminded herself as she prepared for the decisive third set. “But to win this semifinal, especially against a formidable opponent, I need to elevate my game and focus ahead.”
With determination fueling her, Swiatek recalibrated her focus and charged to a gutsy 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 victory, displaying resilience at its finest.
“You almost start fresh at the beginning of the third set,” Swiatek shared after the match, taking a moment to reflect on her mental state during the game. “Whatever happened in the second set is behind me; I knew exactly what I had to do in the third, and I just needed to stick to that plan.”
Now, Swiatek sets her sights on the finals of the National Bank Open presented by Rogers, where she will clash with world No. 2 Elena Rybakina, who also showcased remarkable tenacity in her semifinal bout against No. 4 Coco Gauff late Wednesday.
Analyzing Wednesday’s thrilling semifinal matches reveals a captivating strategic duel between athletes uniquely matched for their roles. In the opening clash, Swiatek and No. 9 Svitolina not only battled each other but also faced individual mental hurdles. Each navigated through a series of psychological challenges while countering their opponent. Swiatek’s early precision waned in the second, while Svitolina seized the moment, executing a masterful serve break to disrupt Swiatek’s momentum without breaking her spirit.
“I knew I could do it because I showcased that in the first set. It was all about finding the right rhythm,” Swiatek explained. “I’m thrilled I stayed patient, didn’t lose hope, and ultimately played stronger in the third set.”
Swiatek’s victory was marked by intense rallies — a fitting testament to a two-hour battle between two of the sport’s most precise strikers. In contrast, the subsequent face-off relied on speed, power, and seizing control of the serve.
Despite limited rest after her marathon match against Naomi Osaka, Rybakina triumphed over Gauff with a scoreline of 5-7, 6-2, 6-2. This victory marked Rybakina’s third three-set win in just four days.
While Gauff benefited from a more restful night before the match—her quarterfinal win came by default after Belinda Bencic withdrew due to injury—it was Rybakina who seized command as the match progressed. Her powerful serve dazzled spectators with five aces compared to Gauff’s three and only one double fault against Gauff’s six. Rybakina held serve almost flawlessly and broke Gauff four times, reversing an early deficit after a hard-fought first set to dominate the match thereafter.
“She served well in the first set,” Rybakina reflected on Gauff post-match. “I knew I had to start the second set strong, and I’m glad I made some good returns, causing things to shift. She began feeling pressure, leading to some double faults. I just kept pushing, and I’m thrilled with the win.”
With no time to relax after their victories, both players are primed for the challenge ahead.
“I suppose the adrenaline and all those hours I spent on the court helped me out,” Rybakina commented on her performance.
Excitement is sure to amplify under the bright lights of Centre Court Thursday night as the NBO title hangs in the balance (Sportsnet, Sportsnet+ at 6 p.m. ET). This will be Rybakina’s second WTA 1000 final this season and her first Canadian Open final after three prior semifinal runs. Swiatek, likewise, seeks her inaugural Canadian title after making it to the semifinals in 2023.
Their meeting will signify the 13th matchup in their careers, with a balanced head-to-head record of 6-6. Rybakina holds a recent advantage, having bested Swiatek in the quarterfinals at the Australian Open earlier this year.
Yet, neither player is looking back now. Their eyes are firmly set on the future.
But perhaps a quick moment of rest wouldn’t hurt.
“I have no idea what tomorrow holds, but I’ll certainly be giving my all, and we’ll see,” Rybakina said. “Getting some sleep is definitely the priority.”
