Iga Swiatek beats Elina Svitolina to reach first WTA final of 2026

Poland’s Iga Swiatek celebrates her 6-3 1-6 6-3 win over Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina in a National Bank Open semifinal tennis match in Toronto on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

TORONTO–Former world number one Iga Swiatek turned the tables on Elina Svitolina, outlasting the Ukrainian 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 on Wednesday at the Canadian Open to reach her first WTA final of the year in Toronto.

Swiatek, seeded seventh, improved to 5-3 against Svitolina, who had narrowed their head-to-head record with two wins over the Polish star this year.

READ: Wimbledon: Swiatek doesn’t care about results after loss to Alex Eala

In Thursday’s final, Swiatek will play either American fourth seed Coco Gauff or Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, who is seeded two.

In a match delayed more than an hour by rain, Swiatek raced to a 4-0 lead in the opening set, in which Svitolina held serve just twice.

The Ukrainian made Swiatek work to serve it out, saving a pair of set points in the final game of the first.

READ: Iga Swiatek races into Toronto semis, Elina Svitolina battles through

Energized, she raced through the second set before Swiatek rebounded in the third, breaking Svitolina to love for a 5-3 lead before holding serve to secure the win.

“Against Elina it’s always tough, so I’m happy that I won this one,” said Swiatek, a six-time Grand Slam champion who will be chasing her first title since she won in Seoul almost a year ago.

“Especially that I came back in the third set playing better. So, yeah, that’s for sure a big improvement. I’m proud of myself.”