Elina Svitolina understood the significance of the match at hand. The Ukrainian tennis sensation found herself trailing a Russian opponent after losing the first set. The spectators, many of whom were part of the large Ukrainian community in the Greater Toronto Area, were deeply engaged in every point during the National Bank Open quarterfinal on an emotional Monday evening.
Despite the challenging start, Svitolina rallied back and secured a spot in the semifinals. The ninth seed and 2017 tournament champion overcame a slow beginning to defeat Ekaterina Alexandrova with a score of 3-6, 6-0, 6-3, advancing on the center court at Sobeys Stadium.
Reflecting on her victory, Svitolina remarked, “I had to work hard to create opportunities. I managed to find my rhythm.” She is now set to face Iga Swiatek in the upcoming semifinal match, after Swiatek, the seventh seed, triumphed over Diana Shnaider of Russia with a score of 6-2, 6-1.
Swiatek, a six-time Grand Slam winner, including the Wimbledon title last year, reached the NBO semis in 2023 but fell short to Jessica Pegula. Swiatek expressed confidence in her game’s current state, stating, “I feel more focused and can execute the game plan more effectively because I have a good feel for the ball on my racket.”
The rest of the women’s singles quarterfinal matches are scheduled for Tuesday. Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, the highest remaining seed, will face Naomi Osaka of Japan, while Coco Gauff of the United States will meet Belinda Bencic of Switzerland.
Svitolina acknowledged the energy from the crowd and on the court during Monday’s late session, particularly amidst Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine. She mentioned, “I feel a bit more pressure playing against a Russian opponent. Toronto always has a strong Ukrainian presence, which is a wonderful source of support for me.”
Following a challenging first set where she committed three double faults, Svitolina bounced back in the subsequent sets, converting break-point opportunities to secure the win. She emphasized the encouragement she receives from the fans during tough moments to continue fighting and represent her country proudly.
Svitolina is no stranger to facing Swiatek, having defeated her twice this season, including a victory on clay in Rome in May. Looking ahead to their upcoming match, Svitolina noted, “We are familiar with each other’s playing styles. Staying physically strong will be crucial, as we expect many extended rallies.”
As the competition intensifies, Svitolina and Swiatek are poised to compete in a highly anticipated semifinal match, where they can expect enthusiastic support from fans on both sides.