World No.8 Iga Swiatek got the better of Elina Svitolina (N.9), winning against the Ukrainian (6-3, 1-6, 6-3) on Wednesday to reach her first WTA final of the year in Toronto.
The Pole, ex-N.1, thus brings her record to 5 victories against 3 defeats against Svitolina, the latter having nevertheless reduced the gap in their direct confrontations thanks to two successes this year.
In Thursday’s final, Swiatek will face either the American Coco Gauff (N.4) or the Kazakhstani Elena Rybakina (N.2), Australian Open champion.
In a match delayed for more than an hour by rain, Swiatek took an early 4-0 lead in the first set, during which Svitolina won her faceoff only twice.
The Ukrainian then gave Swiatek a hard time as she closed out the set, saving two set points in the last game of the first set.
Reinvigorated, she won the second set handily before Swiatek came back in the third, taking Svitolina’s serve to lead 5-3, then winning her own faceoff to seal the victory.
“Against Elina, it’s always difficult, so I’m happy to have won this match,” commented Swiatek, a six-time Grand Slam champion, who is aiming for her first title since her victory in Seoul almost a year ago.
“Especially since I was able to come back in the third set playing better. So yes, it’s definitely a nice progression. I’m proud of myself.”
