LOS ANGELES (United States) — Ukrainian veteran Elina Svitolina beat world number two Aryna Sabalenka in a rollercoaster three sets to punch her ticket to the WTA Finals last four, where she’ll face Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova.
Broken to start the third set, sixth-ranked Svitolina stormed home, winning six straight games to triumph 6-3, 3-6, 6-1.
She claimed just her second career victory in eight meetings with the Belarusian star, whose first-serve struggles and 35 unforced errors proved too much to overcome.
The match concluded round robin play in the elite season-ending event, AFP reported.
Earlier, French Open champion Mirra Andreeva capped an unbeaten run through the group stage with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Diana Shnaider.
It was a lackluster end to a disappointing season for Sabalenka. She won three tournaments, including the prestigious “Sunshine Double” of Indian Wells and Miami in March.
But she finished the year without a Grand Slam title, losing in the finals of both the Australian and US Opens, and lost her world number one ranking to Elena Rybakina.
After an error-strewn first set Sabalenka steadied in the second, racing to a 5-1 lead. Broken as she served for the set Sabalenka held on to force the third and looked on the ascendant when she broke again for a 1-0 lead.
