Swiatek sinks Svitolina to set up Rybakina title clash in Toronto

In a hard court exhibition match ahead of the US Open, Iga Swiatek defeated Elina Svitolina 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 on Wednesday, setting up a final clash against world No. 2 Elena Rybakina. Australian Open champion Rybakina had already secured her path to the final by defeating fourth-seeded Coco Gauff 5-7, 6-2, 6-2. Sixth-seeded Swiatek, making her first appearance in a year's final, had last won a trophy in Seoul almost a year prior.

She improved her record against Svitolina to 5-3 with this victory. A rain delay extended the first set beyond an hour, but Swiatek quickly took a 4-0 lead before Svitolina fought back to take the second set. Swiatek staged a remarkable comeback in the third, breaking Svitolina early to secure the win. Svitolina, a three-time 1000 level finalist, sought to adjust her game to win the final set.

Meanwhile, Rybakina, just a step away from her third title of the season, displayed the resilience seen in her quarter-final win over Naomi Osaka. She took advantage of Gauff's faltering momentum to clinch the match shortly before 1am local time.