Fresh off her historic Wimbledon triumph, Iga Swiatek, the Polish tennis superstar, made a resounding statement in her first match since claiming her sixth Grand Slam title. At the 2025 National Bank Open in Montreal, a WTA 1000 event, the world No. 3 delivered a commanding performance, dispatching Chinese qualifier Guo Hanyu 6-3, 6-1 in just over an hour on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. The victory, played on the hard courts of IGA Stadium—aptly named for a player who’s become a fan favorite in Canada—marked a seamless transition from grass to hard courts, showcasing Swiatek’s adaptability and relentless drive as she kicks off the North American hard-court swing leading to the U.S. Open.
Swiatek, the No. 2 seed in Montreal, wasted no time asserting her dominance against the 259th-ranked Guo. The match began with a blistering 4-0 lead in the first set, as Swiatek broke her opponent’s serve twice in quick succession. “I think I played a really solid match today,” Swiatek said post-match, her calm demeanor belying the ferocity of her performance. “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.” Despite Guo managing to break back in the fifth game, Swiatek’s precision and power remained unshaken, sealing the first set with a second break. The second set saw a brief hiccup when Swiatek dropped her serve, but she responded with a five-game surge, closing out the match with clinical efficiency.
This victory extended Swiatek’s remarkable games-winning streak to 24, a testament to her form since her 6-0, 6-0 Wimbledon final rout of Amanda Anisimova, a match that marked the first double-bagel in a Wimbledon women’s final since 1911. That triumph, her first on grass, completed her Surface Slam, making her the only active woman to win Grand Slam titles on clay, hard, and grass courts. “This one and the US Open for sure feel better because no-one expected that,” Swiatek reflected after Wimbledon, a sentiment that resonates as she navigates the expectations of being a six-time major champion at just 24 years old. Her Montreal performance reaffirmed her ability to thrive under pressure, even after a year marked by challenges, including a one-month suspension in 2024 for a contaminated supplement and a dip to No. 8 in the rankings.
Swiatek’s preparation for Montreal was meticulous. Arriving early to acclimate to the hard courts, she trained at IGA Stadium, where she’s beloved not just for her tennis but for the serendipitous connection to the Canadian supermarket chain IGA, a tournament sponsor. “I’m glad I arrived a little early to train and prepare,” she said upon arriving in Montreal, where she was greeted with a welcome gift from the organizers. Her 2023 semifinal run at the same event, where she fell to eventual champion Jessica Pegula, had already endeared her to Canadian fans, and her return as a Wimbledon champion only amplified the excitement.
The match against Guo highlighted Swiatek’s technical evolution. Known for her clay-court dominance, where she’s won four French Open titles, Swiatek has worked tirelessly to adapt her game to faster surfaces. Her grass-court breakthrough at Wimbledon, where she dropped just one set, was built on improved movement and quicker decision-making. “I feel like I have developed as a player and I had time to practise a little bit more [this year],” she noted, crediting her focus on footwork and fast hands for her success. In Montreal, her serve was a weapon, winning all 10 first-serve points in the opening set, while her trademark topspin forehand overwhelmed Guo, who struggled with 14 unforced errors in the first set alone.
As Swiatek advances to the third round, she awaits the winner of the match between Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Eva Lys, with her sights set on a deep run in a tournament boasting a $9.19 million prize pool. The winner’s check of $752,275 is a significant jump from 2024, reflecting the event’s growing stature. Swiatek’s peers also shone in Montreal, with Jessica Pegula, the two-time defending champion, defeating Maria Sakkari 7-5, 6-4, and Madison Keys cruising past Laura Siegemund 6-2, 6-1. Naomi Osaka’s three-set comeback against Liudmila Samsonova further underscored the depth of the field.
Swiatek’s Montreal opener is more than a win; it’s a declaration of intent. After a year of overcoming adversity, from a doping controversy to intense scrutiny in Poland, she’s rediscovered her joy on the court. “I was just happy to go in a new place and just be open-minded,” she said, reflecting on her grass-court preparation in Mallorca. With the U.S. Open, where she triumphed in 2022, on the horizon, Swiatek’s blend of resilience, skill, and newfound confidence makes her a formidable force. As she navigates the hard-court season, her Montreal masterclass signals that “Iga’s Bakery” is open for business, ready to serve up more bagels and breadsticks to her rivals.
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