WTA/ATP: Swiatek and Shelton land Canadian silverware

Swiatek channels ‘anger’ in Canada 

Four-time Roland-Garros champion Iga Swiatek ended an 11-month title drought with the top prize at the WTA 1000 Toronto on Thursday night.

The former world No.1 hadn’t reached a final in 2026, but catapulted back to her best with a trophy run in Canada.

Swiatek claimed the crown with a 6-2, 6-3 dismissal of world No.2 Elena Rybakina to land a 26th career title. In doing so, the 25-year-old collected a 12th WTA 1000 crown, overtaking Aryna Sabalenka (11) to only trail Serena Williams (13) in the elite series.

A champion once again, the Pole could now get a few thoughts off her chest.

"I want to dedicate this title to everyone who is dealing with unfair judgement and hate," said Swiatek during the trophy presentation. "Just keep pushing, keep growing, keep focusing on yourself because you know what's best for you. And always remember what's ahead and what might be possible."

The six-time Grand Slam champion later expanded on those comments shortly after clinching a first title since Seoul in September. 

"I didn't feel anger during the tournament," Swiatek told reporters in Toronto. "After I won, I let myself feel it a little bit because, as I said in the speech, there are plenty of things that athletes, not only athletes, all the people have to struggle with. 

"Sometimes we need to fight things that we shouldn't. That's why I'm even more proud of myself that I focused on my path, and I didn't let that define me. I believed, and I know what my game is worth. I just need to focus on the right stuff, do the right work, and the bright days will come."

The world No.5, having now inched ahead 7-6 in her rivalry with Rybakina, heads to Cincinnati hoping to defend her title in Mason, Ohio.

Shelton strikes back-to-back

Pumped up muscular and roaring celebrations were a common theme for Ben Shelton once again in Canada.

The American defended his ATP Masters 1000 title in Montreal on Thursday with an exhilarating 6-3, 7-6(4) triumph over compatriot Brandon Nakashima.

The 23-year-old didn’t drop a set all tournament to become the fourth man this century to retain their Canadian Masters 1000 after Andy Murray (2009-10), Novak Djokovic (2011-12) and Rafael Nadal (2018-19). 

"For me to play the way that I played this week to go through this draw speaks to the work I have been putting in," said Shelton, with his home Grand Slam just around the corner. "It also speaks to my mental toughness, my ability to focus through everything that was going on this week."

The world No.6 certainly had to hang tough in blazing exchanges with seeded trio Joao Fonseca, Jakub Mensik and Learner Tien en route to the final. 

"I couldn't be happier with the way I won this week," added the American No.1. “It was such a good display from me. The way that I moved on the court, the way I struck the ball, my serve and return. I thought I was versatile. I played all-court tennis. And I'm super happy with the way that the match turned out."

Top spot on offer in Cincinnati

From Canada across to Mason, Ohio, the world’s leading lights are Stateside in Cincinnati.

On the men’s side, Djokovic is back for the first time since his instant-classic 2023 final victory over Carlos Alcaraz. Unfortunately, world No.1 Jannik Sinner and Alcaraz are absent with injury concerns, however, Djokovic will have the likes of Roland-Garros champion Alexander Zverev, Shelton and Felix Auger-Aliassime to keep at bay.

Across to the WTA ranks and Rybakina has the chance to steal away the No.1 ranking for the very first time. Four-time Grand Slam winner Sabalenka has dominated at the ranking’s peak since October 2024 and is very much open to the ongoing battle.

"You have the target on your back. Everyone wants to beat you," said the top seed at the Cincinnati Open. “I love it. I love having the target on my back."

Remember, Rybakina made the silverware showdown in Toronto and closed the gap to Sabalenka to just 354 points ahead of 1000 on offer in Cincinnati.

Last year, Rybakina reached the Cincinnati semi-finals by defeating Sabalenka in the Elite 8. This time round, with the extra incentive, the Kazakh must reach the final to have the No.1 ranking in reach. 

The permutations stand at if top seed Sabalenka reaches the quarter-finals, Rybakina must lift the trophy. Should 2024 champion Sabalenka make the Cincinnati final, she guarantees top spot still.