Iga Swiatek cruises past Diana Shnaider to reach Toronto semi-finals

Iga Swiatek powered past Diana Shnaider to reach the Toronto semi-finals moving closer to her first WTA final in almost a year.

The six-time Grand Slam champion produced a dominant quarter-final performance, controlling the match with a strong serve and repeatedly punishing Shnaider's second serve.

Swiatek dropped just three points behind her first serve and won 11 of 16 points when returning Shnaider's second serve.

The 25-year-old made an immediate breakthrough when Shnaider sent a backhand beyond the baseline in the opening game.

Swiatek broke again to establish a 5-2 advantage before serving out the first set in just 31 minutes.

The world number eight maintained her momentum in the second set, breaking for a 2-1 lead after Shnaider scored into the net.

Swiatek will face either Ukraine's Elina Svitolina or Russia's Ekaterina Alexandrova on Wednesday for a place in the Toronto final.

She has not reached a final since claiming her 26th WTA Tour title at the Korea Open in Seoul almost a year ago.