Iga Swiatek Reveals Reason Behind Strong Performance in Toronto After Reaching Second Semifinal of 2026 Season

Iga Swiatek has finally reached the second semifinal of the season. In the ongoing Canadian Open, she cruised past Diana Shnaider 6-2, 6-1 in the quarterfinals.

The Pole will be playing the semifinal of the Canadian Open for the second time in her career. She made the last four for the first time here in 2023, while last year, she suffered a fourth-round exit.

Prior to the Canadian Open, Swiatek competed at Wimbledon as the defending champion, but her run ended in the third round at the hands of Alexandra Eala. Also, the only time she made the semifinal this year before the Canadian Open was at the Italian Open. So what is the reason behind her strong performance in the ongoing event?

There isn’t one specific thing. Especially since the two rivals I faced were very different. But I do think that perhaps against Marta [Kostyuk] I was able to clearly see what I was doing wrong, instead of getting caught up in the mistakes.

Iga Swiatek said at the press conference

Swiatek took her revenge on Kostyuk in the fourth round. It was the Ukrainian ace who knocked Swiatek out of the fourth round of the French Open.

Today I just stuck to the plan. I was very focused. I think I’m definitely more focused. I’m able to follow the plan a bit more easily because I feel the ball well on the racket. It’s a nice tournament because there isn’t too much noise around, you can really concentrate on your game. I’m just enjoying myself on the court.

Iga Swiatek added

Swiatek last won a WTA 1000 title at the 2025 Cincinnati Open by beating Jasmine Paolini. In the ongoing event, reigning champion Victoria Mboko is not competing because of a knee injury she suffered during the Cincinnati Open.

Iga Swiatek will play Elina Svitolina in the semifinals

To reach her first final of the season, Iga Swiatek has to overcome a tough opponent in the form of Elina Svitolina, who came from a set down to eliminate Aryna Sabalenka conqueror Ekaterina Alexandrova. Svitolina holds a 3-4 head-to-head record over the six-time Grand Slam champion, winning their last two meetings.

They met twice this season, in the quarterfinals of the Indian Wells Open and the semifinals of the Italian Open. The Ukrainian ace will be aiming to beat Swiatek for the third time in a row.

We’ve played many times. We’ve also trained together many times. We know each other’s game very well. We had a great match; I think from my perspective it was a great match. I won’t judge her, but we had a great match in Rome. For me, it will be important to stay physically strong. There will be many long rallies.

Elina Svitolina added

Svitolina has played three finals this year. After defeating Wang Xinyu at the ASB Classic, Svitolina lost to Jessica Pegula in Dubai. Then, following her win over Swiatek in the semifinals of the Italian Open, Svitolina beat two-time Grand Slam singles champion Coco Gauff in the final.

Svitolina is a former champion at the Canadian Open, winning it in 2017 by beating Caroline Wozniacki. She lost in the quarterfinals last year. The 31-year-old is a five-time champion in the WTA 1000 events, while Swiatek has clinched 11 titles at this level. Swiatek last won a tour-level title at the Korea Open last year.

The winner of the Svitolina versus Swiatek match will face Belinda Bencic, Gauff, Naomi Osaka, or Elena Rybakina in the final. Apart from Svitolina and Rybakina, none of these players have won a title this season.

Also read: Elena Rybakina Makes Feelings Clear on No.1 Ranking Goal After Aryna Sabalenka’s Canadian Open Exit