World number eight Iga Świątek defeated Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 on Saturday to reach the WTA 1000 quarterfinals in Toronto. Świątek had dropped just six games in her opening two matches of the tournament, beating Sara Beljek 6-0, 6-3 and Viktorija Golubic 6-2, 6-1.
Kostyuk entered the fourth-round match in excellent form, having earned her first career win over Świątek at Roland Garros in May. The Ukrainian took the opening set 6-3 in 2 hours and 10 minutes of total play as Świątek struggled on her serve.
Break points appeared in all nine service games of the first set, with Świątek winning only one of 17 points on her serve. During the set break, Świątek went to the locker room before returning to win the next two sets 6-1 and 6-2.
Ukrainian media reaction
Ukrainian sports media reacted calmly to the defeat, noting that Świątek remains a very difficult opponent for Kostyuk. Sport.ua reported that this was their fifth direct meeting and Świątek's fourth victory, while ua.tribuna.com also highlighted Kostyuk's poor head-to-head record against the Pole.
Website champion.com.ua reported that Świątek transformed her performance after the first set by improving her serve, particularly her second serve, while reducing unforced errors. Sport24.ua noted that Świątek built strong early leads in both the second and third sets, leaving Kostyuk unable to turn the momentum back in her favor.
Kostyuk saved five match points in the final game before exiting the tournament in the round of 16. Świątek advanced to the quarterfinals to face the winner of the match between Jessica Pegula and Diana Shnaider as she seeks her first appearance beyond the semifinals in Canada.
