Arabic version: سفيتولينا تنهي مشوار سابالينكا في نهائيات رابطة التنس النسائية
According to BBC News, Elina Svitolina ended Aryna Sabalenka’s season by beating the former world number one 6-3 3-6 6-1 to reach the WTA Finals knockout stage. Ukraine’s 2018 winner will face Czech world number eight Linda Noskova in the semi-finals.
Sabalenka made a strong start, breaking serve immediately, but conceded the opening set after losing six of seven games. The Belarusian responded with a double break and a 5-1 lead in the second set before taking it at the second attempt. Her inconsistency returned in the decider, however, and Svitolina won the final six games to secure victory.
Sabalenka showed visible frustration during the match, throwing her racquet after surrendering an early lead in the final set. She had also lost her previous match to Mirra Andreeva after dropping the final 11 games. Sabalenka had reached the last four at each of the previous four WTA Finals and was seeking a first title at the season-ending event.
Svitolina, appearing at the Finals for the first time since reaching the 2019 final, said the contest was mentally demanding. “It was an extremely tough match, especially mentally. I was just trying to play one point at a time,” she said. “This is the tournament where you bring everything to the table and try to play every game as if it’s the last.”
Andreeva finished the group stage unbeaten after defeating Diana Shnaider 6-2 6-1, setting up a semi-final against Jessica Pegula. The 19-year-old, who had already beaten Svitolina and Sabalenka, lost only 11 of 47 games across her three straight-set group victories.
