Svitolina Overcomes Sabalenka in Three-Set Battle to Reach WTA Finals Semi-Finals

Elina Svitolina saw off Aryna Sabalenka across a tense three-set contest to book her place in the semi-finals of the WTA Finals.

The Ukrainian took the opening set 6-3, holding firm against Sabalenka’s powerful serve to seize the early advantage.

Sabalenka responded in emphatic fashion to level the match, dominating the second set before momentum once again tipped in the decider.

The start of the third set was closely fought, but Svitolina landed the crucial blow with a break to move 3-1 ahead, before pulling clear to run away with the set 6-1 and seal the win.

“I’m very happy with the performance. It was not an easy match. It was a little bit of a roller coaster,” Svitolina told Sky Sports.

“I played well in the first set, she stepped up her game and in the third I tried to put an ‘extra’ ball over the net.”

Svitolina will now face Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova in the semi-final at Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

“I knew from the start of the tournament that this would be a possibility, but I have no regrets or complaints. I’m in the semi-final and that’s amazing for me,” she said.

Mirra Andreeva rattled off 12 of the final 13 games to ease past Diana Shnaider 6-2 6-1 and complete her round-robin campaign at the WTA Finals on Friday.

Andreeva surrendered just 11 games in total while topping Group 2 with a flawless 3-0 record and will take on Jessica Pegula in Saturday’s semi-finals.

Shnaider, the second alternate, came in as a late stand-in for Karolina Muchova, who pulled out with a gastrointestinal illness. It marked Shnaider’s WTA Finals singles debut, having qualified in doubles last year alongside compatriot Andreeva.

Shnaider led 2-0 in the opening set before Andreeva seized control and closed out the victory in 55 minutes. Andreeva won 71 per cent of her first-serve points and converted six of seven break-point opportunities. Shnaider, who had spent the week training without knowing whether she would be called upon, finished her sole appearance with 32 unforced errors.

“I don’t know how much fun that was,” Andreeva said. “It’s nice to share a court with your friend. It’s more nerve-wracking for me personally because I know her well.”

Muchova, a Wimbledon finalist this year, had already lost her opening two matches and could not have progressed to the semi-finals even had she played on Friday. She was the second player to withdraw from the eight-day, $10 million event, after top-ranked Elena Rybakina exited before the tournament got under way last Sunday, citing a viral illness and exhaustion.

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