Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek, the second seed and one of the tournament favourites, exited the round of 16 at the 2025 Canadian Open in Montreal after a stunning 7‑6(1), 6‑3 defeat at the hands of Denmark’s Clara Tauson, ranked No. 19. The loss marked another dramatic blow to expectations for the Polish star, who had cruised earlier in the week with a routine 6‑2, 6‑2 win over Eva Lys.
Tauson, strikingly composed amid swirling wind and swirling momentum, took full advantage of shifting conditions. She dictated play with aggressive baseline hitting, capitalising on Swiatek’s uncharacteristic net errors and a backhand miscue that sealed match point in the second set. “It’s tough conditions here with the wind, but I tried to keep my head cool and work hard,” Tauson reflected post-match, calling it “one of my best wins for sure.” Her victory came just a day after top seed Coco Gauff was also upset by Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko, deepening the field’s unpredictability.
Osaka roars back into the quarterfinals
In sharp contrast, Naomi Osaka delivered a masterclass of power and precision, obliterating Anastasija Sevastova with a commanding 6‑1, 6‑0 performance that lasted just 49 minutes. The win signalled Osaka’s first quarterfinal appearance at a WTA 1000 event in 19 months and stood out as one of her most dominant displays in recent memory.
Sevastova, who had earlier upset defending champion Jessica Pegula in the third round, offered little resistance to Osaka’s surgically sharp serve and groundstrokes. Osaka admitted her success stemmed from sticking to a clear strategy. “I had a solid plan coming in here,” she said. “It just worked out really well.” Her immediate next opponent will be Amanda Anisimova or Elina Svitolina, both seasoned competitors seeking semifinal berths .
Montreal continuing narrative of chaos
The Canadian Open has become a tournament of upheaval, with powerhouse names tumbling early. Pegula, a two-time defending champion, lost in the third round to Sevastova—ranked outside the top 400—while Swiatek and Gauff both fell in straight sets at unexpected hands. These results have freshly shaken up the draw and opened doors for the unseeded and lower-ranked players to go deeper into the event.
This disruption extends to the men’s draw as well, where top seeds including Alexander Zverev and other fan favourites have faced resistance. Although some have battled through, the women’s side appears more volatile—with Osaka as one of the few remaining big names now in form.
Style, stakes, and storytelling in Ontario
Swiatek’s exit and Osaka’s resurgence represent two very different arcs within the same day. Swiatek arrived in Toronto on the back of a triumphant Wimbledon double-bagel, but lacked the consistency she showed on grass when the wind whipped and shots ricocheted off court lines. Tauson’s creative flair and tactical discipline exposed uncharacteristic cracks in Swiatek’s normally precise game.
Meanwhile, Osaka seemed to harness the energy that hashtags her post-return identity—not simply as a once-dominant champion—but as a thoughtful strategist rediscovering form under new coaching. Her relentless aggression paired with timing and poise in the Sevastova match suggested she is not one to fade quietly.
Looking ahead: U.S. Open prep heats up
With the U.S. Open scheduled in just over three weeks, these early exits could reshuffle expectations. Swiatek’s vulnerability under pressure may prompt coaching recalibrations, while Gauff will wait anxiously to reassess form before her Grand Slam defence. Osaka’s rediscovery of early-career form poses questions about her potential seeding and path in New York.
Colorado-born Tauson—previously dismissed for inconsistency—is suddenly circled as a dark horse for the title. Her upcoming quarterfinal showdown with Madison Keys, herself a heavyweight baseliner and survivor of two match points against Muchova, promises to bring drama.
Bottom line: As the Canadian Open approaches its business end, the script has flipped on its head. Swiatek’s implosion underscores how fiercely depth is now contested in women’s tennis, while Osaka’s rampage reminds us why she remains a Grand Slam force when it matters. The Montreal shake-up resets momentum; wildcards now define tomorrow’s championship arc.
