Elina Svitolina recognized the significance of this particular match. Despite trailing a set against a Russian competitor, the Ukrainian tennis star rallied in response, captivating the emotionally charged audience at the National Bank Open quarterfinal on a poignant Monday evening. Svitolina, seeded No. 9 and a former 2017 champion, overcame a slow start to defeat Ekaterina Alexandrova 3-6, 6-0, 6-3, securing a place in the semifinals at Sobeys Stadium.
Her upcoming opponent, No. 7 seed Iga Swiatek, advanced after defeating No. 15 Diana Shnaider. Swiatek, a six-time Grand Slam winner, expressed confidence in her current form, emphasizing improved focus and execution on the court. The remaining women’s singles matches in the quarterfinals are scheduled for Tuesday, featuring top-seed Elena Rybakina against Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff facing Belinda Bencic.
Svitolina acknowledged the heightened energy in the stadium, particularly given the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. She shared her appreciation for the immense support from Ukrainian fans in Toronto, citing their encouragement as a driving force during challenging moments on the court.
Despite facing initial struggles, Svitolina showcased resilience, securing crucial break points to secure victory. Looking ahead to the semifinals against Swiatek, Svitolina emphasized the importance of physicality and endurance in what is expected to be a competitive match filled with extended rallies.
In doubles action, Canadians Duncan Chan and Alexis Galarneau concluded their impressive run with a quarterfinal loss to Mate Pavic and Marcelo Arevalo. The Croatian-El Salvadorian duo displayed a dominant performance, setting up a semifinal clash against either French pair Theo Arribage and Albano Olivetti or Daniil Medvedev and Fabian Marozsan. Despite the defeat, Chan and Galarneau had earlier defeated formidable opponents in the tournament.
The National Bank Open continues with thrilling singles and doubles matches, showcasing the talents of international players on the tennis court.