Swiatek into first final of her 'toughest season'
Iga Swiatek will meet Elena Rybakina in the Canadian Open final after both players battled through their semi-finals in three sets. Six-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek withstood an Elina Svitolina comeback attempt to seal a 6-3 1-6 6-3 win in Toronto and reach her first WTA final of the season. The Pole, 25, has not reached a final since winning Cincinnati 12 months ago and had only reached one semi-final this year. "It hasn't been an easy season, probably the toughest one in my life," said seventh seed Swiatek. "This week has been really positive and inspirational for me, and it always kind of shows that you need to keep going no matter what." Later, Australian Open champion Rybakina sealed her place in the final, despite losing the opening set to Coco Gauff.
After winning four games in a row to clinch the second set, the world number two secured a 5-7 6-2 6-2 victory, having also come from behind to win her quarter-final against Naomi Osaka. "I feel like in the first set we were playing well but then I rushed it a little bit," said 27-year-old Rybakina. Friday's final will be the 13th professional meeting between Swiatek and Kazakh Rybakina, with both players winning six matches each to date. In their last meeting - their only match of 2026 - Rybakina won in straight sets in the quarter-finals of her Australian Open-winning campaign. On playing Swiatek, Rybakina said: "It's going to again be a very difficult match, and we know each other so well.
We play so many times. "In my case, I feel it's more again about the recovery after so many hours on the court, and bring as much energy as I can." In the Canadian Open men's singles in Montreal, Ben Shelton will face fellow American Brandon Nakashima in the final after both players won their semi-finals in straight sets, against Learner Tien and Rafael Jodar respectively. Victory for Nakashima would secure his first Masters 1,000 title and the most prestigious win of his career. Shelton is looking to retain the title and win his seventh ATP tournament.
โก Effects Interpreter
๐World Economy
- โถThe ripples can spread across borders, nudging growth forecasts here and there.
- โถConfidence among international firms may wobble until the picture clears.
๐๏ธLocal Economy
- โถMatch days can lift takings for nearby businesses.
- โถThe buzz around big fixtures spreads to the local economy.
๐ฆRates & Banks
- โถCentral banks watch moments like this closely, so keep an eye on savings rates.
- โถBorrowing costs might hold steady for now, but they can turn on fresh news.
โค๏ธHealth
- โถA great sporting moment can inspire more people to get moving.
- โถThe highs and lows of a big match can affect sleep and stress.
๐ทWealth
- โถSavings and portfolios can see short-lived ups and downs after a story like this.
- โถIt might be worth a quick look at your ISA or pension in the coming days.
๐ Housing
- โถBuyers and renters could notice only a gentle drift, if anything at all.
- โถHome costs usually respond later, once the bigger picture settles.