Iga Swiatek claimed her first title of the season Thursday, defeating Elena Rybakina 6-2, 6-3 in the Canadian Open final to head into the U.S. Open with a timely boost in confidence.
It was Swiatek’s first final at the U.S. Open tuneup event, and the six-time Grand Slam champion fed off the Toronto crowd, which repeatedly chanted “Iga! Iga!” as she powered her way to victory, with several Polish flags visible in the stands.
But Swiatek told Canadian network Sportsnet that she was still angry after the win, having faced criticism from media in Poland during an inconsistent season in which she has failed to reach a Grand Slam semifinal and parted ways with her coach.
“I think that’s the first time in my life I have something like that after a victory, but it hasn’t been easy, you know,” Swiatek said. “I’m happy that I kept my composure, kept my focus, and I keep growing every month no matter what the challenges, and I’m super proud I could win this one.”
The Pole was sharp and fast on the hard court in Toronto, while Kazakhstan’s Rybakina was her own worst enemy for much of the evening.
