Iga Swiatek sinks Svitolina to set up Rybakina title clash in Toronto

TORONTO: Iga Swiatek secured a hard-fought 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 victory over Ukraine's Elina Svitolina on Wednesday, setting up a pivotal Toronto title clash against world number two Elena Rybakina. Australian Open champion Rybakina demonstrated her fighting spirit, overcoming fourth-seeded Coco Gauff 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 to advance to Thursday's final in the US Open warm-up tournament.

The seventh-seeded Swiatek, making her first final of the year, improved her record against Svitolina to 5-3. The match, delayed by rain, saw Swiatek dominate the first set with a 4-0 lead, while Svitolina fought back to salvage a 1-6, 6-3 second set. Swiatek rebounded in the third set, breaking Svitolina at love to take a 5-3 lead, ultimately clinching the win.

"Against Elina, it's always tough, so I'm happy I won this one," Swiatek remarked. "Especially that I came back in the third set playing better." Svitolina, a three-time 1000 level finalist this season, couldn't replicate her recent form, as Swiatek upped her game in the deciding set. "I mostly just wanted to adjust the quality," Swiatek explained.

"I knew I could do it in the first set and was proud to come away with this victory." Rybakina, on the verge of his third title of the season after wins in Melbourne and Stuttgart, secured his Canadian win shortly before 1 a.m. local time. He credited his momentum and strong returns for the victory.