Elina Svitolina was well aware of the significance of the match at hand. The Ukrainian tennis sensation found herself trailing a set against a Russian adversary. The enthusiastic crowd, including many supporters from Ukraine residing in the Greater Toronto Area, were deeply invested in every point during the National Bank Open quarterfinal on an emotionally charged Monday night. Svitolina rallied and secured a spot in the semifinals.
Despite a challenging start, the 2017 tournament champion and No. 9 seed, Svitolina, overcame Ekaterina Alexandrova 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 to advance on the center court at Sobeys Stadium. Reflecting on her performance, Svitolina remarked, “I had to really try to find opportunities. I found my game.”
Her next opponent, on Wednesday, will be Iga Swiatek, who defeated No. 15 Diana Shnaider of Russia 6-2, 6-1. Swiatek, a six-time Grand Slam winner, expressed confidence in her current game state, attributing her improved focus to better execution of her game plan.
The remaining women’s singles quarterfinal matches are set for Tuesday. No. 2 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan 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.
In a post-match interview, Svitolina acknowledged the heightened energy from both the audience and the court, particularly given the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. She remarked, “I feel a little bit more pressure than playing any other player. Toronto has always lots of Ukrainians, but it’s a champagne problem to have. It’s a great support that they give me, backing me up.”
Svitolina’s victory came after a challenging first set where she struggled with three double faults. However, she bounced back in the second set, seizing three break-point opportunities, and continued her dominance in the third set, securing a 6-3 victory in one hour and 33 minutes.
Looking ahead to the semifinal clash with Swiatek, whom she has defeated twice this season, Svitolina emphasized the importance of physicality and endurance in what is expected to be a match filled with extended rallies.
Meanwhile, Swiatek showcased her prowess in the quarterfinals, taking an early lead against Shnaider and clinching a swift victory in just 64 minutes. She acknowledged the challenging conditions, particularly the strong winds, which she adeptly adapted to during the match.
As Svitolina and Swiatek gear up for their semifinal encounter, the atmosphere is likely to be charged with enthusiastic support from both sides.