Iga Swiatek revealed that she was fired up to hear all the criticism about her game from her native Poland this season. The six-time major champ was proud of how she maintained focus during the tournament in Toronto before releasing the anger after winning on Thursday night.
Iga Swiatek silenced doubters by winning a title for the first time in almost a year. The 25-year-old from Warsaw told TSN it meant even more to do it in front of so many of her fans in Toronto. "Honestly, I was surprised with how many Polish people came," she said. "Probably half the stadium was Polish."
By reaching the Toronto final, Elena Rybakina pulled within 354 points of Aryna Sabalenka for the WTA's No. 1 spot. "Even if you say it's close, for me it still feels very far," the 27-year-old from Kazakhstan insisted. The tour's ace leader is simply focusing on recovery right now. "I'm not sure if I can tell you what is not hurting actually," Rybakina said with a smile. "I feel kind of destroyed."
Zhang Shuai paid tribute to Toronto's Chinese community after teaming up with Czechia's Katerina Siniakova to win the National Bank Open doubles title. "Are we in Canada?" the 37-year-old said. "I feel like I'm in China. I feel everything easy for me." Zhang even received support during a long-awaited visit to Niagara Falls, Ont.
Vicky Mboko was unable to defend her National Bank Open title due to injury, but the Canadian still spent a few days on the grounds in Toronto, which tournament organizers appreciated. NBA star Kawhi Leonard also created a buzz by attending Tuesday's night session and visiting with Coco Gauff.
The ATP event in Montreal was missing top players due to fatigue and injury. Alex Zverev says that's the "sad reality" of 12-day tournaments at this time of year. Zverev believes an "easy fix" is reverting to one week. But Toronto tournament director Karl Hale is quick to highlight how the expanded event is attracting more fans.
All of Alexandra Eala's matches were sold out at the National Bank Open this year as the rising star from the Philippines made her debut in Toronto. "It was just unprecedented," said tournament director Karl Hale. "It was really beautiful to see her so loyal to her fans."
Second-seeded Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan beat fourth-seeded Coco Gauff 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 to reach the National Bank Open final in Toronto. Rybakina will play seventh-seeded Iga Swiatek of Poland on Thursday night.
Iga Swiatek of Poland posted a 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 victory over Elina Svitolina of Ukraine on Wednesday to reach the final of the National Bank Open in Toronto. It will be Swiatek’s first appearance in a WTA Tour final in almost a year.
Defending champion Ben Shelton beat fellow American Learner Tien 6-2, 6-3 on Wednesday night to advance to the National Bank Open final in Montreal.
28th-seeded Brandon Nakashima advanced to the National Bank Open men’s singles final with a 7-6 (3), 6-4 victory over teenager Rafael Jodar. Nakashima will face Ben Shelton in an all-American final.
Edward Liu and Stephen Robles describe what it's like being part of the Ball Crew at the National Bank Open in Toronto and help TSN's Mark Masters complete the Ball Crew Challenge.
Elena Rybakina defeated Naomi Osaka 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4 at the National Bank Open to earn the last semi-final berth at the WTA Tour event.
Defending champion Ben Shelton of the United States rolled past Czechia's Jakub Mensik in straight sets 6-3, 6-1 to reach the semi-finals at the National Bank Open.
20th-seeded Spaniard Rafael Jodar overcame a weather delay and push from France's Arthur Fils to advance to the semis at the National Bank Open with a 7-6(5), 6-3 win in Montreal.
Before competing in Montreal, top seed Alexander Zverev visited the Canadiens practice facility to see what ice tennis is all about. Content creator and former ice-cross champion Rob Worling spoke to TSN about how the collaboration with ATP Media and the National Bank Open came together.
American Brandon Nakashima defeated Italy's Luciano Darderi in straight sets of 6-2, 6-3 to advance to the semi-finals at the National Bank Open in Montreal.
After dropping the first set, World No. 9 Elina Svitolina took the next two sets to down Ekaterina Alexandrova and punch her ticket to the semi-final at the National Bank Open.
World No. 7 Iga Swiatek put on a dominant performance against Diana Shnaider, besting the Russian in straight sets to book her spot in the semi-final at the National Bank Open for the second time.
Alex Eala bowed out of the National Bank Open on Sunday, but the 21-year-old from the Philippines was all smiles in reflecting on her first trip to Toronto. "The atmosphere this whole week has been just incredible," she said. "It's hard to describe to other people the feeling of being in that stadium, full of the fans and all the love ... I'll carry these memories with me for a really long time."
When Naomi Osaka lost the championship match at the National Bank Open last year, she let the fans in Montreal get to her. She did a better job handling the atmosphere Sunday night in Toronto, but Leylah Annie Fernandez left this match feeling like she could have done a better job putting the four-time major champion under pressure. TSN's Mark Masters has more.
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