Elina Svitolina understood the significance of this match. The Ukrainian tennis player found herself trailing a set against a Russian opponent. The audience, including many supporters from Ukraine’s sizeable community in the Greater Toronto Area, was deeply engaged in every point during the emotional National Bank Open quarterfinal on a Monday night.
Despite the challenging start, Svitolina rallied and secured a spot in the semifinals. The ninth seed and 2017 tournament champion staged a comeback to defeat Ekaterina Alexandrova 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 on the main court at Sobeys Stadium. Reflecting on her performance, Svitolina stated, “I had to work hard to create opportunities and eventually found my rhythm.”
In the upcoming match on Wednesday, Svitolina will go up against Iga Swiatek for a chance to advance to the final. Swiatek, the seventh seed and a six-time Grand Slam winner, including the 2022 Wimbledon title, reached the semifinals by defeating Diana Shnaider of Russia 6-2, 6-1.
The remaining women’s singles matches in the quarterfinals are scheduled for Tuesday. Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, the second seed and the highest-ranked player left, will face Naomi Osaka of Japan, while Coco Gauff of the United States will take on Belinda Bencic of Switzerland.
Acknowledging the support from the audience, especially given the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Svitolina expressed, “I feel a bit more pressure playing against a Russian opponent. The overwhelming Ukrainian support in Toronto is truly inspiring, motivating me to keep pushing forward even in challenging moments.”
After a shaky start that included three double faults in the first set, Svitolina regrouped in the second set, seizing break-point opportunities to eventually secure a 6-3 victory in the final set. Svitolina has previously defeated Swiatek twice this year, emphasizing the importance of physicality and long rallies in their upcoming match.
Swiatek dominated her quarterfinal match against Shnaider, displaying excellent control and adaptability in challenging weather conditions. Moving swiftly through the match, Swiatek clinched a semifinal spot in just 64 minutes, showcasing her strong performance and mental focus.
The upcoming semifinal match between Swiatek and Svitolina promises to be intense, with both players receiving fervent support from their respective fan bases.
