Swiatek books Toronto semifinal showdown against Svitolina

Iga Swiatek delivered a commanding performance on Friday

Iga Swiatek delivered a commanding performance on Friday to sweep past Diana Shnaider and secure her place in the last four of the Canadian Open. The Polish star, who once topped the WTA rankings, needed just over an hour to close out the match, showcasing the aggressive baseline game that has made her a perennial threat on hard courts.

Shnaider, a qualifier enjoying a breakout week, fought hard in the opening set but could not match Swiatek's consistency and depth of shot. The world No. 1 seed broke early and never looked back, racing through the first set before tightening her grip in the second to seal a straight-sets victory.

Awaiting Swiatek in the semifinals is Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, who advanced after a gritty three-set win earlier in the day. Svitolina, a former top-five player, has shown renewed form this season and will pose a stern test with her relentless defense and crafty court sense.

The two have met three times previously on

The two have met three times previously on tour, with Swiatek holding a 2-1 edge, but their last encounter came on clay, where conditions favored the Pole. On Toronto's faster hard courts, Svitolina's ability to redirect pace and change angles could make for a intriguing tactical battle.

Swiatek, chasing her second title of the summer after a runner-up finish in Warsaw, will be eager to improve her record in Canadian hard-court events. A win would put her into Sunday's final, where she could face either Aryna Sabalenka or Coco Gauff, both of whom advanced to the other semifinal.

For Svitolina, a victory would mark her first final at a WTA 1000 event since returning from maternity leave last year. The Ukrainian, known for her fighting spirit, will rely on the support of the Toronto crowd as she seeks to topple the tournament's top seed and continue her remarkable comeback story.