By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, August 13, 2026
Photo credit: National Bank Open Facebook
Bouncing on her toes like a boxer, Iga Swiatek scored imposing knockout for her first title of the year in Toronto.
Landing vicious combinations, Swiatek rolled a weary Elena Rybakina 6-2, 6-3 to capture her 26th career championship and maiden National Bank Open crown.
It is Swiatek’s first title since she edged Ekaterina Alexandrova to win Seoul last September.
Former world No. 1 Swiatek solidified her status as a WTA 1000 warrior improving to 12-2 lifetime in WTA 1000 finals.
The seventh-seeded Swiatek beat Rybakina for the first time since the 2025 Cincinnati Open semifinals. Swiatek denied Rybakina her third WTA 1000 title, taking a 7-6 lead in their head-to-head series.
“Elena, congrats for a great tournament,” Swiatek said. “You’re such a great competitor. It’s always tough to play against you. We played many important matches against each other and I’m sure we’re gonna play many, many more.”
Beating a lethargic Rybakina to the ball, an energized Swiatek won 13 of 22 points played on the Kazakh’s second serve and converted four of five break points.
Stamina was a factor before a ball was struck.
Australian Open champion Rybakina repelled Coco Gauff, 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 in a semifinal that ended shortly after 1 a.m. today.
How would Rybakina respond from the fast turnaround—and her fourth three-set win of the tournament? Rybakina was a half-step slow to the ball and couldn’t consistently challenge the swift Swiatek in extending running rallies.
“I tried my best, but it wasn’t enough,” Rybakina said. “Congratulations to Ifa and her team on a great tournament. Of course, thanks guys for an amazing atmosphere it was a great tournament, and I really hope I can come back soon here.”
Understandably sluggish at the outset, Rybakina dumped successive double faults to gift-wrap the break in the opening game. Swiatek backed up the break holding at 30 for a quick 2-0 lead.
Swiatek’s skill changing direction came into play. Stepping in, the Pole spun a heavy topspin forehand down the line scoring her second break with a shout for a 5-2 lead after 26 minutes of play.
The six-time Grand Slam champion slid a serve winner down the T capping a love hold to close a superb opening set in 29 minutes.
Playing for her first WTA 1000 title since the 2023 Rome, Rybakina left the court for a bathroom break to regroup following the first set.
Spreading the court with her twisting topspin forehand, Swiatek was bending the ball into the corners forcing the 6’ Kazakh to sometimes chase on the run. Swiatek banged out the break at 15 in the fifth game then spun a forehand down the line that helped her confirm the break for 4-2.
Imposing her edge in running rallies, Swiatek swept a crosscourt forehand strike aor a second championship point. Pushing Rybakina side to side, Swiatek stepped in and bolted a backhand winner down the line to close a masterful 75-minute triumph.
A fired-up Swiatek pointed her index finger to her temple signifying her mental toughness taking her first title of this 2026 season.
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