Iga Swiatek overcomes Karolina Muchova in rain-affected clash at Canadian Open after ‘extraordinary day’

Iga Swiatek advanced to the Canadian Open quarter-finals after overcoming two rain delays to beat Karolina Muchova 6-1 4-6 6-4.

She saved four break points to move 4-1 ahead in the opener, with the Czech also failing to hold one of her service games in the process.

The world No. 17 was then broken at the fifth opportunity, as Swiatek extended her lead, before a hold to 30 wrapped up the first set in 45 minutes.

Muchova’s response was impressive, taking the second set after breaking the 22-year-old three times to level the scores just before the first rain-enforced delay.

After Swiatek broke back in the first game of the decisive third set, the heavens opened again and resulted in another prolonged break in action.

Nevertheless, it did not seem to affect the Pole and she comfortably wrapped things up 6-4, taking the tenth game to love to seal her victory.

The win means that the Pole becomes the first player to secure 40 or more WTA 1000 victories in a two-year period; 24 in 2022 and 17 in 2023.

This victory in Montreal is also enough for Swiatek to retain her place at the top of the new WTA rankings, which are released on Monday.

It means that the Pole will spend a total of 72 consecutive weeks as world No. 1.

Speaking after the victory, she said: “For sure, it was a pretty extraordinary day.

“I don’t think I’ve had such a situation in my career so there is the opportunity to learn something new and see what I’m capable of. Even though we played this match, like, three times.

“You have to find energy, even though we’ve been here since 9am.”

American qualifier Danielle Collins lies in wait at the quarter-final stage, after she beat Canadian Leylah Fernandez 6-2 6-3.

Elsewhere, world No. 7 Coco Gauff made light work of reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova, winning 6-3 6-0.

The American is now set to meet her compatriot and erstwhile doubles partner Jessica Pegula in the last eight, after the latter cruised to a 6-4, 6-0 victory over the Italian Jasmine Paolini.

World No. 3 Elena Rybakina is also safely through after beating Sloane Stephens 6-3 6-3, and will now face Daria Kasatkina, who triumphed over Marie Bouzkova 6-3 6-4.