Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek became the latest high-profile casualty at the WTA Canadian Open, suffering a stunning 7-6(1), 6-3 defeat to Denmark’s Clara Tauson in the fourth round. The world No. 3 and second seed joined an exodus of top players—including Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, and Mirra Andreeva—as the 19th-ranked Tauson advanced to face Australian Open champion Madison Keys in the quarter-finals.
Swiatek, playing her first tournament since triumphing at the All England Club, struggled with rhythm in windy conditions on center court. Despite briefly rallying from 3-5 down in the first set, she faltered in the tiebreak and was undone by critical double faults in the second. Tauson, a January Auckland titlist, sealed her maiden win over Swiatek at the fourth attempt. “I stayed calm and trusted my game,” said the Dane, who now prepares for Keys—a 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 survivor against Karolina Muchova after saving two match points.
Naomi Osaka delivered a statement performance, crushing Anastasija Sevastova 6-1, 6-0 in just 49 minutes—her fastest win since 2020. The former world No. 1, now ranked 49th, credited her newfound focus to a coaching trial with Tomasz Wiktorowski, former mentor to Swiatek. “He’s direct, which helps my scattered thoughts,” said Osaka, who reached her first WTA 1000 quarter-final since Doha. She awaits the winner between Amanda Anisimova—seeking redemption after her Wimbledon final collapse to Swiatek—and Elina Svitolina.
Keys’ dramatic escape against Muchova marked her third comeback this year from match point down. “Figuring it out when things look bleak—that’s what I play for,” said the American. Meanwhile, the men’s draw in Toronto saw Andrey Rublev outlast Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-7(3), 7-6(2), 3-0 via retirement, setting up a clash with Taylor Fritz or Jiri Lehecka.
As the Canadian Open continues, the women’s field has wide open, with Osaka’s revival and Tauson’s giant-killing run injecting fresh intrigue into the hardcourt season.
