Iga Swiatek overcame multiple rain interruptions and a stoic opponent to reach the quarterfinals of the Canadian Open for the first time.
More importantly, Swiatek's win over Muchova maintains her firm grip on the No. 1 in the WTA Rankings, and she will stay in the top spot at least for another week regardless of what Aryna Sabalenka will do in Montreal. Now that she's settled one goal, Swiatek can aim for the title this weekend.
Earlier this week, Swiatek celebrated her 71st consecutive week atop the WTA rankings, tying Caroline Wozniacki in 10th place among the players with most weeks at No. 1. Swiatek sat top with 9,490 points which was 744 points more than Sabalenka in second place with 8,746.
And the permutation was pretty straightforward. If Swiatek makes the quarterfinals or better, she'd add to her points tally (9,490), which would surpass Sabalenka's projected maximum points - 9,541 - by virtue of winning the title.
Swiatek can still mathematically relinquish control of top spot in Cincinnati, but chances are rather slim. In fact, she can effectively end Sabalenka's interest by winning the Canadian Open. Doing so will mean Swiatek will go into the US Open as World No. 1 irrespective of her result in Cincinnati.
While there are many scenarios of how the situation is likely to unfold for both players in the coming week, Swiatek is in the driver's seat and is very much in control of her destiny and won't need to double-check on Sabalenka's progress. The Pole is already confirmed as the top seed at next week's Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati.
Swiatek has compiled a 49-7 win-loss record for the season, which is not too dissimilar from last year at this stage (49-6). She is scheduled to face unseeded American Danielle Collins in the quarterfinal stage in Montreal a little later on Friday.
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