WTA Finals Group 2: Provisional Standings
Group 2:
Top two semi-finals
Andreeva is assured that she is the first in the group. Svitolina and Sabalenka will meet on Friday for the second semi-final, while Andreeva plays Muchova. The semi-finals are on Saturday.
“I think I made too many mistakes in the first set and didn’t even let her play the game,” Svitolina told Tennis Channel after the match. “Then I tried to play up the middle and just try to hit the ball to find the shots and then open up the pitch. I think it worked out well.”
How Svitolina defeated Muchova
Muchova took the first set 6-3 with her variety and trips to the net, while Svitolina struggled for rhythm with five winners and 14 unforced errors in the set. In the first set, the Ukrainian was also treated by a physiotherapist due to a problem with his right leg.
He turned the match around from the second set to lead 4-2 before serving out and then breaking twice in the decider. Svitolina hit 22 winners, 17 of them in the last two sets, and lost just four games from the opening set. Muchova made eight double faults.
The result improved Svitolina’s record in straight sets to 19 wins and five losses this season and 6-1 in WTA finals. She now leads Muchova 4-1 against them and has won both of their matches on hard courts.
Sabalenka next to Svitolina
Svitolina, 32, reached a WTA final for the first time since becoming a mother and said it was her goal after returning to the tour. “I think that was my goal after coming back from pregnancy, to get back into the Top 10 and play here,” she said. “So of course I’m really proud of my team’s effort. It’s great to play here after so many years.”
