Elina Svitolina has set up a blockbuster semifinal clash with Iga Świątek at the 2026 Canadian Open. The meeting will add another chapter to their competitive rivalry, with the pair set to meet for the third time just this season. Ahead of the highly anticipated showdown, Svitolina shed light on her approach to facing the six-time Grand Slam champion.
Elina Svitolina Explains Her Mindset Ahead of Canadian Open Clash with Iga Świątek
Svitolina, who is chasing her second WTA 1000 title of the season, booked her spot in the semifinals of the Canadian Open after claiming a 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 comeback win over Ekaterina Alexandrova in the quarterfinals. Świątek also advanced to the final four after beating Diana Shnaider 6-2, 6-1.
Świątek holds a 4-3 winning record against the Ukrainian, but both of their tightly contested encounters this season have gone Svitolina’s way. She claimed a 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 victory over the six-time Grand Slam champion in Indian Wells and also triumphed 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 in the Italian Open semifinals.
While speaking to the press after her quarterfinal victory, Svitolina highlighted their familiarity with each other’s game and reflected on their stellar battle in Rome earlier this year.
“Yeah, it’s against Iga. Of course, we played many times. We practiced many times as well. We know each other’s game. We had a great match, I think from my side it was a great match, I don’t know, I won’t judge from her side, but in Rome we had a great match,” Svitolina said.
The Ukrainian braced herself for a physical encounter and welcomed the day off before the match on Wednesday, August 12, which will allow her the time to develop her tactics for the challenge Świątek poses.
“Yeah, for me it will be important to stay physical. It’s going to be lots of long rallies. I feel I will just work on few things, tactical things tomorrow. It’s nice to have a day where I can work on few things for the semifinal,” she added.
Praising Świątek’s impressive fighting spirit and fearless style of play, Svitolina emphasized that her main focus would be on identifying the most effective game plan to counter those traits.
“I think the things that I can control is my mindset and taking one point at a time. She’s also a great fighter and brought her fighting spirit and her great, like, intentions and fearlessness, it’s also brought her a lot of titles,” she said.
“So, it’s going to be about trying to find the keys in that game, trying to find the particular patterns that are going to work against her,” she added. “I mean, we are at the highest level of women’s tennis. Everybody knows how to hit forehand and backhand, so it’s about putting another pattern against each other, and trying to perform as best as possible on that day.”
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While Iga Świątek is on the hunt for her maiden Canadian Open title, Elina Svitolina is aiming to lift the trophy for the second time in her career, having triumphed over Caroline Wozniacki in the 2017 final.
