Elina Svitolina understood the significance of this match. The Ukrainian tennis player found herself trailing a set against a Russian competitor. The crowd, including a significant number of Ukrainian supporters in the Greater Toronto Area, was deeply engaged in every exchange during the National Bank Open quarterfinal on an emotional Monday evening. Despite the challenging start, Svitolina fought back and secured a spot in the semifinals.
Ranked No. 9 and a former champion in 2017, Svitolina overcame a slow beginning to defeat Ekaterina Alexandrova 3-6, 6-0, 6-3, advancing on centre court at Sobeys Stadium. Reflecting on her performance, Svitolina remarked, “I had to really search for openings and rediscover my form.”
Her upcoming opponent in the semifinals, Iga Swiatek, dispatched No. 15 Diana Shnaider of Russia with a commanding 6-2, 6-1 victory. Swiatek, a six-time Grand Slam winner, emphasized her improved focus and ability to execute her game plan effectively.
The remaining women’s singles quarterfinal matches are scheduled for Tuesday. No. 2 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, the highest-seeded player left, will face No. 11 Naomi Osaka of Japan, while No. 4 Coco Gauff of the United States will take on No. 12 Belinda Bencic of Switzerland.
Svitolina acknowledged the heightened energy in the stadium due to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, expressing gratitude for the overwhelming support from the Ukrainian community in Toronto. She credited this support for motivating her to persevere through challenging moments on the court.
Following a shaky start that included three double faults, Svitolina rallied back in the second set by converting break-point opportunities. She maintained her momentum in the third set, securing a 6-3 victory after one hour and 33 minutes of play.
Having defeated Swiatek twice already this season, Svitolina anticipates a physically demanding matchup, emphasizing the importance of endurance and engaging in extended rallies.
In another quarterfinal match, Swiatek dominated Shnaider, securing a semifinal spot in just 64 minutes. The Polish player showcased her adaptability to the windy conditions and capitalized on her opponent’s errors to clinch the victory.
As both Svitolina and Swiatek prepare to face off in the semifinals on Wednesday, the atmosphere promises to be electrifying with enthusiastic support from fans on both sides.