Iga Swiatek’s run of victories came to a halt in Montreal, as the world No. 3 was ousted in the fourth round by Denmark’s Clara Tauson 7-6(1) 6-3. The upset ended Swiatek’s momentum just as she seemed poised to extend her post-Wimbledon dominance into double digits.
Just weeks after her impressive Wimbledon triumph, where she comfortably beat Tauson 6-4 6-1 on her way to lifting a sixth Grand Slam trophy, Swiatek appeared to be in top form. She had opened her Omnium Banque Nationale campaign with back-to-back wins, but Tauson, seeded 16th, had other plans.
This time, the 22-year-old Dane came prepared. Displaying far more composure and tactical precision than in their previous meeting, Tauson edged out a tense first set in a tiebreak. Although she failed to serve out the set at 5-4, she quickly regrouped and rattled off six straight points from 1-1 in the tiebreak to clinch it 7-6(1).
Riding that momentum, Tauson broke early in the second set. Swiatek fought back, reclaiming the break to level the score, but the Polish star couldn’t maintain control. Tauson remained calm under pressure, broke once more in the eighth game, and confidently served out the match 6-3.
Swiatek’s loss follows the earlier exits of top seed Coco Gauff, two-time defending champion Jessica Pegula, and fourth seed Mirra Andreeva.
After the match, Tauson explained that she wasn’t rattled when Swiatek broke back in the second set, knowing that champions never stop fighting. Instead of getting frustrated, Tauson stayed focused, feeling confident in her own strategy and game plan.
With this win, Tauson advances to the quarterfinals in Montreal, where she will face American sixth seed Madison Keys.
