The 2025 Canadian Open in Montreal delivered a seismic shock as world No. 3 Iga Swiatek, riding a nine-match winning streak, fell in a stunning upset to Denmark’s Clara Tauson in the round of 16. The 6-7(1), 3-6 defeat marked the end of Swiatek’s dominant run, which included her maiden Wimbledon title and a flawless performance through the tournament’s early rounds. The 24-year-old Pole, known for her punishing forehand and relentless precision, struggled with an uncharacteristic 46 unforced errors, 25 of which came from her usually lethal forehand. As Swiatek prepares for the Cincinnati Open and the US Open, her candid reflection on the loss and Tauson’s fearless play set the stage for a compelling hard-court season.
Swiatek entered Montreal as a heavy favorite, fresh off a commanding Wimbledon campaign where she dropped just one set after the second round. Her Canadian Open journey began with convincing wins over Hanyo Guo and Eva Lys, reinforcing her status as one of the WTA’s most formidable players. However, Tauson, ranked No. 19 and enjoying a career-best season, proved a formidable foe. The 22-year-old Dane seized an early break in the third game of the first set, capitalizing on Swiatek’s shaky start. Despite the Pole’s resilience in clawing back to 5-5 after missing seven break points, including a 0-40 opportunity, Tauson dominated the tiebreak, winning six consecutive points to claim the set. “I made too many mistakes in the tiebreak,” Swiatek admitted post-match, pinpointing the moment her control slipped. “In the second set, I felt Clara had the wind in her sails and I didn’t really know how to solve the problems. I definitely made too many mistakes on balls I could have played.”
Tauson’s performance was a masterclass in composure and aggression. Having lost to Swiatek in the Wimbledon fourth round just weeks earlier, she entered the match with a point to prove. “I just felt like after I won the first set that I needed to continue, because I know she’s never going to give up, and she’s going to come out firing no matter what,” Tauson said, acknowledging the pressure of facing a player of Swiatek’s caliber. Her ability to maintain intensity after the first set, breaking early in the second and holding firm despite Swiatek’s fightback, showcased her growth. Tauson’s career-high ranking and her runner-up finish in Dubai earlier this year signal her emergence as a serious contender, and this victory—her first over Swiatek—buried the demons of their Wimbledon encounter.
Swiatek’s error-strewn performance was a rare blemish for a player who has won six Grand Slams, including four French Opens, one US Open, and her recent Wimbledon triumph. Her forehand, often described as one of the best in women’s tennis, betrayed her in Montreal, with 25 of her 46 unforced errors coming from that wing. “I definitely made too many mistakes,” she reiterated, her frustration evident as she reflected on missed opportunities. The loss marks her worst Canadian Open result since a third-round exit in 2022, though her 8-4 record in Montreal includes a semifinal run in 2023. The defeat also opens the door for Coco Gauff to challenge for the No. 2 ranking, intensifying their rivalry ahead of Cincinnati.
The match highlighted Swiatek’s challenges transitioning from grass to hard courts, a surface where she’s historically excelled but struggled this season, with an early exit in Miami and no hard-court titles since 2023. “Going from this kind of tennis, where I felt like I’m playing the best tennis in my life, to another surface, where I kind of struggle a little bit more, it’s not easy,” Swiatek said after her 2024 Wimbledon loss, a sentiment that resonates with her Montreal performance. Her 2025 season, marred by a one-month doping suspension in November 2024 due to contaminated melatonin, has tested her resilience, but her Madrid Open comeback against Alexandra Eala, where she overcame 57 unforced errors, proves her capacity to rebound.
Tauson, meanwhile, advances to the Canadian Open quarterfinals, eyeing a deeper run to surpass her Dubai final loss to Mirra Andreeva. Her confidence is palpable: “I think I’m getting more confidence in this kind of level and feeling like I belong here a bit more,” she said, signaling her intent to challenge the WTA’s elite. For Swiatek, the focus shifts to Cincinnati, where she aims to iron out her errors before defending her 2022 US Open title. With a career defined by mental toughness and adaptability, this upset may serve as a wake-up call, fueling her quest for a seventh major and a return to the world No. 1 ranking.
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