Elina Svitolina was aware of the significance of this particular match. The Ukrainian tennis star found herself trailing behind a Russian opponent after losing the first set. The audience, predominantly composed of Ukraine’s enthusiastic diaspora in the Greater Toronto Area, was emotionally invested in every point during the National Bank Open quarterfinal on a poignant Monday evening.
Despite the challenging start, Svitolina rallied and secured a spot in the semifinals. The ninth seed and 2017 tournament champion staged a comeback to defeat Ekaterina Alexandrova 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 on centre court at Sobeys Stadium. Reflecting on her performance, Svitolina expressed, “I had to really search for opportunities. I managed to find my rhythm.”
In the upcoming match on Wednesday, Svitolina will square off against Iga Swiatek for a chance to advance to the final. Swiatek, the seventh seed and a six-time Grand Slam winner, triumphed over Diana Shnaider of Russia with a score of 6-2, 6-1. Swiatek, who clinched the Wimbledon title last year, is determined and focused on her current gameplay.
The remaining women’s singles quarterfinals will take place on Tuesday. Notably, No. 2 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan will compete against No. 11 Naomi Osaka of Japan, while No. 4 Coco Gauff of the United States will face No. 12 Belinda Bencic of Switzerland.
Svitolina acknowledged the substantial support from the crowd, especially in light of Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine. She expressed gratitude for the overwhelming backing from the Ukrainian community in Toronto, emphasizing the encouragement she receives during challenging moments.
Following a shaky first set marked by three double faults, Svitolina capitalized on multiple break-point opportunities in the subsequent sets to secure victory. She has previously defeated Swiatek twice this season and anticipates a physically demanding match with extended rallies.
Swiatek, on the other hand, dominated her match against Shnaider, displaying exceptional control and adaptability to the windy conditions. The Polish player’s swift victory reflected her strong performance and strategic play on the court.
In doubles competition, Canadians Duncan Chan and Alexis Galarneau concluded their impressive run at the men’s National Bank Open with a quarterfinal loss to Croatia’s Mate Pavic and El Salvador’s Marcelo Arevalo. Pavic and Arevalo, the third seeds, showed exceptional service prowess, setting up a semifinal clash against another formidable duo.
The National Bank Open continues with exciting matches and fierce competition, promising captivating tennis action for fans and players alike.