Thursday, August 13 Toronto Preview: Swiatek, Rybakina for the NBO Title

This year, there is guaranteed to be a first-time NBO titlist. Iga Swiatek looks to get her hands on the trophy following a long wait for a WTA final, but standing in her way is Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina.

Learn more about Thursday’s finalists in Aug. 13’s preview.

On-court Action

The doubles title will be handed out first on Centre Court as top seeds Katerina Siniakova and Shuai Zhang battle Sara Errani and Nicole Melichar-Martinez, the No. 3 seeds.

Doubles world No. 1 Siniakova looks for a 10^th WTA 1000 trophy, with her first coming in Toronto 2019, while Zhang is playing in a second-straight NBO final. The Czech-Chinese duo have yet to drop a set in the Ontario capital as they can become the first pair to stay perfect en route to the NBO women’s doubles title since 2017. 

Errani was also a doubles champion in Canada, winning in Montreal 2014. She and Melichar-Martinez needed three sets to defeat fifth seeds Jelena Ostapenko and Su-Wei Hsieh in the semis. 

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The doubles final will get underway at 3:30 pm.

Then, it’s a battle between two multi-time Grand Slam champions. Swiatek and Rybakina both went the distance to reach the Toronto final, but the latter has been on court for over three hours more during her run to the title match – a total of 11-and-a-half hours.

The two met five times over the course of 2025, with Swiatek taking all but one meeting. Rybakina notched a win over the Pole just prior to the end of last season, coming back from a set down in WTA Finals group-stage play in Riyadh. This year, the Kazakhstani took their only encounter back in January at the Australian Open, when the world No. 2 won in straight sets on her way to the winner’s circle.

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Rybakina’s semifinal win marked a WTA-best 26^th hard-court match win of the season, but Swiatek has been at her best in Toronto. The former world No. 1 now sports a win rate of just over 80 per cent at WTA 1000s – only Serena Williams has a better career percentage.

The singles final will begin not before 6 pm.

Around the Grounds

Enter Centre Court prior to the start of the doubles final and stand proud for the playing of the Canadian national anthem, performed by Torontonian Jade Hilton.

Be sure to stick around following the singles trophy ceremony as Happy Hour begins at 8 pm. Enjoy $8 Stella Artois draft from the Stella Racquet Club as you enjoy the end of the men’s singles final in Montreal on the big screen in The Courtyard.

The WTA's best return to Toronto for the National Bank Open presented by Rogers Aug 1 to 13 at Sobeys Stadium. Get your tickets today!

Feature Photo : Mark Blinch/Wick Photography for National Bank Open