Iga Swiatek captures first WTA title of year, beats Rybakina at National Bank Open
The seventh-seeded Polish star dominated No. 2 Elena Rybakina 6-2, 6-3 Thursday in Toronto, earning her fourth top-20 victory of the week.
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Iga Swiatek won her first WTA tournament title of 2026, capturing the National Bank Open women's championship Thursday with a commanding 6-2, 6-3 victory over No. 2 Elena Rybakina.
The seventh-seeded Polish star was a different player at the Canadian WTA Tour 1000 event, recording her fourth top-20 victory of the week—the most since she won the 2024 French Open. She hadn't even reached a final before this week in 2026, a stark departure from her usual form as a six-time Grand Slam winner.
Swiatek seized control early. Rybakina, the 2026 ace leader and Australian Open champion, double-faulted on the final two points of the opening game, giving Swiatek a lead she never surrendered. In the first set, Rybakina's two break-point chances produced errors—she hit long both times. The Polish community in the crowd chanted "Iga, Iga, Iga" throughout the match.
The turning point came midway through the second set when Swiatek broke for a 3-2 lead and never looked back, finishing the match on Rybakina's serve with four of five break points converted. Rybakina arrived for the final already fatigued: she'd played five matches to get here, spending 11 hours 25 minutes on court—including a gruelling semifinal against Coco Gauff that didn't finish until nearly 1 a.m. ET. She had three hours less rest than Swiatek.
Swiatek becomes the only player to reach a WTA Tour 1000 final in each of the last six seasons. She takes home $1.085 million, while Rybakina collects $565,920.
By the numbers
What was the final score of the National Bank Open women's championship?
Iga Swiatek defeated Elena Rybakina 6-2, 6-3 on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at the National Bank Open in Toronto.
How many top-20 victories did Swiatek record during the National Bank Open week?
Iga Swiatek earned four top-20 victories during the week at the National Bank Open, her most in a single week since winning the 2024 French Open.
How much prize money did Swiatek and Rybakina earn?
Iga Swiatek won $1.085 million as the National Bank Open champion, while Elena Rybakina received $565,920 as the runner-up.
How much court time did Rybakina spend before the final?
Elena Rybakina played five matches to reach the National Bank Open final, spending 11 hours 25 minutes on court total, including a semifinal against Coco Gauff that finished nearly 1 a.m. ET.
