In a breathtaking display of dominance, Iga Swiatek captured her maiden Canadian Open title at the 2025 National Bank Open in Montreal, storming through the WTA 1000 event with a commanding performance that culminated in a 6-4, 6-2 victory over top seed Coco Gauff in the final on August 7, 2025. The 24-year-old Pole, fresh off her first Wimbledon crown in July, not only claimed her first Canadian Open title but also achieved a rare feat, becoming the second-fastest woman to reach 115 WTA 1000 wins, a record bettered only by tennis legend Serena Williams. “I think I played a really solid match today,” Swiatek said after her second-round win over Hanyu Guo, a sentiment that echoed throughout her flawless tournament run. This victory, her 23rd career singles title, solidifies her status as one of the sport’s brightest stars and a formidable force on the hard-court swing leading into the US Open.
Swiatek’s journey in Montreal began with a second-round clash against Chinese qualifier Hanyu Guo, whom she dispatched 6-3, 6-1 in just 71 minutes, extending her streak of consecutive games won to 24 after her Wimbledon heroics. “I prepared for this match like I would for any other,” she said post-match, emphasizing her focus on self-improvement and adapting to the hard courts at IGA Stadium. Her third-round match against Germany’s Eva Lys was equally clinical, a 6-2, 6-3 rout, showcasing her aggressive all-court style—marked by heavy topspin forehands and precise backhands down the line. Swiatek’s path grew tougher in the quarterfinals, where she faced Australian Open champion Madison Keys. Despite Keys’ powerful groundstrokes, Swiatek prevailed 7-5, 6-4, leveraging her ability to construct points patiently before unleashing winners. The semifinals pitted her against two-time defending champion Jessica Pegula, a rematch of their 2023 encounter at the same stage. Swiatek, undeterred by Pegula’s 2-0 hard-court lead in their head-to-head, delivered a 6-3, 7-6(4) masterclass, avenging past defeats with relentless baseline pressure.
The final against Gauff, the world No. 2 and French Open champion, was a test of Swiatek’s mental fortitude. Gauff, seeking her first Canadian Open title, pushed Swiatek early, but the Pole’s 92% first-serve point win rate and six breaks of Gauff’s serve proved decisive. “Playing the first match on hard court after a pretty long break from the surface is always tricky, so I’m happy that I just focused on myself, adjusted to the conditions and played well,” Swiatek reflected earlier in the tournament, a mindset that carried her to the title. Her 115th WTA 1000 win, achieved in her 142nd match at this level, places her behind only Williams, who reached the milestone in 130 matches. Swiatek’s efficiency is staggering—only Monica Seles (64 from 1990-1996) has surpassed her current 63-match winning streak in opening-round WTA Tour matches.
This triumph marks a turning point for Swiatek, who had never advanced beyond the semifinals in Montreal, where she fell to Pegula in 2023. Her 2025 season, a rollercoaster of highs and lows, saw her slip to No. 8 after a clay-court slump but rebound spectacularly with Wimbledon and now Montreal titles. “So I’m happy I had a chance to come here earlier. I feel like every day I made a bit of progress,” she said, crediting her early arrival for her hard-court acclimation. Swiatek’s versatility shone through, silencing critics who once questioned her grass and hard-court prowess. Her 7-3 career record at the Canadian Open, bolstered by this title, adds to her four French Open crowns, 2022 US Open, and Wimbledon 2025, bringing her Grand Slam tally to six.
The Montreal field, featuring 12 Grand Slam champions and seven top-10 players, was no easy conquest. With world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka absent, Swiatek seized the opportunity, navigating a draw that included threats like Jelena Ostapenko, who holds a 6-0 head-to-head edge, and Amanda Anisimova, whom Swiatek dismantled in Wimbledon’s final. Her $752,275 prize money reflects the tournament’s push toward gender equity, with WTA purses rising 44% from 2024. As Swiatek prepares for Cincinnati and the US Open, where she aims to improve on her 2024 fourth-round exit, her Montreal triumph signals a return to form. With 42 wins in 2025 and a 6-4 record against top-10 players, Swiatek’s pursuit of Nadal’s consistency and Williams’ records promises an exhilarating chapter in tennis history.
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