At the WTA 1000 National Bank Open in Montreal, Danish rising talent Clara Tauson stunned the second-seeded Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek, defeating her 7-6(1), 6-3 to reach the quarterfinals. The result is a huge breakthrough for the world No. 19, reinforcing her developing momentum on hard courts this summer.

Match Recap: Precision, Power, and Mental Fortitude

Tauson, who stands 6 feet tall and has a powerful baseline game, came out strong in the first set, constantly dictating rallies and forcing Swiatek into multiple mistakes. Tauson dominated the tiebreak, surrendering only one point to win 7-6(1).

Tauson went ahead again in the second set, and despite Swiatek’s brief timeout, she won the match easily. She won eight of the final eleven points and finished the match in just under two hours.

What This Upset Means

Second Top-5 Victory in 2025

Tauson defeated world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in the Dubai WTA 1000 earlier this year, making this her second career win over a top-five opponent.

Redemption Following Wimbledon Loss

Just weeks before, Tauson had been knocked out by Swiatek in the fourth round of Wimbledon, when she admitted her physical condition was only “30%” due to sickness. This triumph represents personal and professional redemption.

Mastering Difficult Conditions.

The windy circumstances in Montreal were difficult, but Tauson kept calm—especially after getting broken mid-set—and delivered well-placed serves and groundstrokes to disturb Swiatek’s rhythm.

Tactical Observations

Serve & Return: Tauson delivered consistently forceful serves by utilizing her height and racket strength. Swiatek’s sole mini-break in the first set tiebreak came after Tauson double-faulted, demonstrating the Dane’s normal level of composure in stressful situations.

Aggression vs. Defense: Swiatek sought to regain control with aggressive returns, but Tauson’s rally tolerance and stamina were crucial.

Mental Reset: Tauson quickly recovered after dropping service late in both sets, which was a crucial difference between her and Swiatek in top matchplay.

Broader Context in the Montreal Draw

With the elimination of Swiatek and top seed Coco Gauff earlier in the event, the women’s draw in Montreal has expanded significantly. Tauson will face Madison Keys in the quarterfinals, who defeated Karolina Muchova 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 after saving two match chances.

Naomi Osaka defeated Anastasija Sevastova 6-1, 6-0 in her second-round match, becoming the second-fastest winner in her career and advancing to the last eight.

Player Profile: Clara Tauson

Clara Tauson, born in Denmark in December 2002, went professional in 2019 and has won three WTA championships on hard courts. In July 2025, she reached her career high singles rating of world No. 19. She is well-known for her aggressive power game and excellent serve, but she has also dealt with injuries throughout her career.

Her ability to stun prominent champions—most recently Sabalenka and now Swiatek—has translated home expectations into worldwide news.

What Lies Ahead

Quarterfinals: Tauson vs. Madison Keys. Keys has a recent edge, defeating Tauson in Auckland earlier in 2025.

If she wins, Tauson might face Naomi Osaka or the winner of Anisimova/Svitolina in the semifinals, putting her on track to win the championship.

The result supports Tauson’s predictions for the US Open, hinting that she may be a dark horse on the North American hard court swing.

Final Thoughts

Clara Tauson’s victory over Iga Swiatek in Montreal was more than an upset; it was a statement. It demonstrated the Danes’ competitive progress, resilience, and tactical maturity on a large scale. Given her development this year, plus the elimination of key names from the draw, Tauson might be on pace for a deep run in Canada and beyond.

As the quarterfinal draw takes form, the tennis world pays close attention. Clara Tauson has arrived and is currently playing finals-level tennis.