Svitolina Defeats Sabalenka to Secure Group 2 Semifinal Spot

Elina Svitolina Advances to Semifinals

Six break points slipped away before Elina Svitolina found her rhythm against Mirra Andreeva at the WTA Finals. Svitolina lost that opening match in straight sets, 6-4, 6-0, but recovered over the next two rounds to secure a spot in the semifinals.

“I think this is the sweet thing about the WTA Finals, because even if you lose the first match, you’re still not out,” Svitolina said, according to WTA Tennis.

Karolina Muchova entered her match against Svitolina holding a 32-0 record for the year when taking the first set. Svitolina ended that streak by surrendering just four games across the final two sets to win 3-6, 6-2, 6-2.

Instagram

Aryna Sabalenka Defeated in Group Play

Aryna Sabalenka had won her last five meetings against Svitolina, including three hard-court matches. Svitolina broke that skid by converting six of eight break points to take a 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 victory.

Svitolina hadn’t beaten Sabalenka since a victory in Strasbourg in 2020. That put her second in Group 2.

Mirra Andreeva Dominates Group Play

Andreeva advanced through the group stage without dropping a set. She defeated Svitolina 6-4, 6-0 in her tournament debut after saving all six break points she faced.

Against Sabalenka, Andreeva erased a 4-1 deficit in the opening set. She won the final 11 games and 45 of the last 55 points to finish the match 6-4, 6-0.

“I was just feeling like that anger was building up inside of me,” Andreeva told WTA Tennis about her slow start against Sabalenka. “But then it was a good thing that I was serving because I kind of was able to turn that anger into trying to serve faster and … let it out with serving.”

Diana Schnaider Steps in as Alternate

Muchova withdrew from the tournament before the final round of group matches. Diana Schnaider entered the draw as a late replacement to face Andreeva on Friday.

Andreeva defeated Schnaider 6-2, 6-1 in 55 minutes. Schnaider hit seven winners against 32 unforced errors while winning just three of 15 points on her second serve.

Upcoming Semifinal Matchups

Andreeva finished group play at 3-0 and will face Jessica Pegula in the semifinals. Svitolina finished at 2-1 and advances to play Group 1 winner Linda Noskova on Saturday.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who did Elina Svitolina play in her opening match?

Svitolina lost her opening group match to Mirra Andreeva in straight sets, 6-4, 6-0.

When was the last time Svitolina beat Aryna Sabalenka?

Prior to the WTA Finals, Svitolina’s last victory against Sabalenka came at Strasbourg in 2020.

Why did Diana Schnaider enter the tournament?

Schnaider entered as a late alternate after Karolina Muchova withdrew from the event.

More on this story: Mirra Andreeva Meets Elina Svitolina in WTA Finals Group Match · Noskova Beats Gauff to Reach WTA Finals Semi-Finals as Pegula Wins