Elina Svitolina defeated Aryna Sabalenka in three convincing sets to reach the semi-finals of the WTA Finals in Indian Wells.
The Ukrainian won 6-3 3-6 6-1, facing Sabalenka’s powerful serve as she won the first set.
Sabalenka came back to take control of the second set. But the momentum changed again in the deciding set.
The opening games of the third game were tight, but Svitolina hit the hammer when she broke Sabalenka’s service game to go 3-1 up and pushed from there to run away in the final set.
“Very happy with the performance. It was not an easy match. It was a bit of a rollercoaster,” Svitolina said. Sky Sports.
“I played well in the first set, she increased the game and in the third I tried to put an “extra” ball over the net”.
Svitolina will face Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova in the semi-finals at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
“I knew from the start of the tournament that this would be an opportunity, but I have no regrets or complaints. I’m in the semi-finals and that’s amazing for me,” she said.
Mirra Andreeva won 12 of her last 13 games to cruise past Diana Shnaider 6-2 6-1 and complete her round trip to the WTA Finals on Friday.
Andreeva lost just 11 games in total as she won Group 2 with a 3-0 record and will play Jessica Pegula in Saturday’s semifinals.
Shnaider, the second alternate, was a late replacement for Karolina Muchova, who withdrew with a gastrointestinal illness. Shnaider was making her WTA Finals debut in singles after qualifying in the doubles last year with fellow Russian Andreeva.
Shnaider led 2-0 in the first set before Andreeva took control and sealed victory in 55 minutes. Andreeva won 71 percent of her first serve points and converted six of seven break points. Schneider made 32 errors in her lone match after spending the week practicing and not knowing if she would have to.
“I don’t know how much fun it was,” Andreeva said. “It’s nice to share a court with your friend. It’s more shocking for me personally because I know her so well.”
Muchova, a Wimbledon finalist this year, has already lost her first two matches and could not have advanced to the semi-finals even if she had played on Friday. Muchova was the second withdrawal from the eight-day, $10 million event. Top-ranked Elena Rybakina withdrew before the start of the tournament last Sunday, citing a viral illness and exhaustion.