Iga Swiatek wins Canadian Masters title by beating Rybakina

Iga Swiatek secured her first title of 2026 by defeating Rybakina 6-2, 6-4 to win the Canadian Masters. The victory marks the 26th career title for the Polish player, ending a period where she had not won a tournament since last September.

Swiatek noted during the trophy presentation that Rybakina is a great competitor and that the two have played many significant matches against one another. The win provides a significant boost to Swiatek's standing, as she moves up to fifth place in the WTA Rankings, overtaking French Open winner Mirra Andreeva.

For Rybakina, the loss followed a performance marked by errors. Despite the defeat, her run in Toronto has helped her move closer to Aryna Sabalenka in the race for the world number one ranking. Rybakina has solidified her position as world number two, placing her in a position to challenge Sabalenka at the Cincinnati Open or the US Open.

Swiatek will receive $1,085,200 in prize money for the championship, while Rybakina takes home $564,920. The Polish star indicated that her mental strength was a deciding factor in the win, celebrating emotionally with her team after the match.

Following the final point, the two players shared a brief and sharp handshake at the net without exchanging words. Swiatek has previously admitted to struggling with self-doubt and a lack of confidence during a difficult period in her career, making this victory a significant moment for her mental fortitude heading into the US Open.