Swiatek Cruises Past Rybakina In Toronto To Claim 12th WTA 1000 Crown

Iga Swiatek cruises past Elena Rybakina to claim first title of 2026

Toronto Final: Iga Swiatek back in top 5 after crushing Rybakina for Canadian WTA 1000 crown. Swiatek too strong as Rybakina falls 6-2, 6-3.

Swiatek ends title drought with clinical win over Rybakina in Toronto...

Former world No. 1 Iga Swiatek won her first title of 2026 on Thursday, beating a flat Elena Rybakina 6-2, 6-3 to take the WTA 1000 trophy in Toronto.

The six-time Grand Slam winner had not made a final all year. Her bid to defend the Wimbledon title also ended early, with a third-round exit.

She dictated the match from start to finish against world No. 2 and Australian Open champion Rybakina, sealing her first title in Canada. The win will push her back up from No. 8 into the top five just ahead of the US Open.

The result also sets her up to rise into the top five before she defends her title in Cincinnati, with the US Open still to come later this month.

Collecting her 12th WTA 1000 trophy, the 25-year-old also had a message for her critics. It’s been the toughest year of her career on court, by her own admission.

“It means so, so much to me,” she said. “All these past months were not easy. I'm really happy that I kept focusing on growing, changing my game a little bit, improving despite all the opinions that many people have about me every day on the internet.

“It's not easy to deal with all of that. So I'm really happy that the reality is different. I have people that know me so well and people that support me every week, every day ... so thank you to the team.”

Finally, she said: “I want to dedicate this title to everyone who is dealing with judgment and hate. Just keep growing ... and always remember what's ahead and what might be possible.”

Swiatek’s sharp serving, solid defense and well-timed aggression were simply too much for Rybakina. The Kazakh had been pushed to three sets in four of her previous five matches, and didn’t wrap up her semi-final against Coco Gauff until 1am.

She started slowly too, handing Swiatek the early break in the opening game with two double faults.

“Today was a pity,” Rybakina said. “I didn't have much energy. I tried my best, but it wasn't enough.

“I was just very tired,” she added. “You could see that I wasn't pushing with the legs enough. There was a lot of unforced errors, especially on top of the net. It was just pure lack of concentration. Even on those kind of easy balls, too.”

Swiatek Overpowers Rybakina For Toronto Title

Swiatek wrapped up the set with a bagel game, sealing it with a swerving second-serve winner on set point.

The second set was just as straightforward. She grabbed control with a break for 3-2, then finished it off in the last game by cracking a backhand winner on her second match point.

“Iga, she's a tough opponent,” Rybakina said. “She's playing really well in defense, she can take the opportunity during the rally and turn it around.”

Even without the title, Rybakina’s week in Canada moved her a step closer to top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in the world rankings.

Rybakina said the chase isn’t on her mind, though reaching No. 1 would still “mean a lot.”

“I know for me, even if you say by the ranking it's close, for me it still feels very far,” she said. “So I'm not thinking about it so much.”

Iga Swiatek vs Elena Rybakina Match Stats | Toronto WTA 1000 Final