Elina Svitolina defeated Aryna Sabalenka over three compelling sets to reach the semi-finals of the WTA Finals in Indian Wells.
The Ukrainian won 6-3 3-6 6-1, standing up to Sabalenka’s powerful serve as she won the first set.
Sabalenka stormed back to take control of the second set. But momentum shifted yet again in the deciding set.
The opening games of the third were tight, but Svitolina landed a hammer blow when she broke Sabalenka’s service game to go 3-1 up and pressed on from there to run away with the final set.
“Very happy with the performance. It was not an easy match. It was a little bit of a roller coaster,” Svitolina told Sky Sports.
“I played well in the first set, she stepped up the game and the third I tried to put an ‘extra’ ball over the net.”
Svitolina will face Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova in the semi-final at Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
“I knew from the start of the tournament this would be a possibility but I have no regrets or complaints. I’m in the semi-final and that’s amazing for me,” she said.
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Sabalenka has been eliminated from the WTA Finals by Svitolina.
Mirra Andreeva won 12 of the final 13 games to cruise past Diana Shnaider 6-2 6-1 and complete her round-robin play at the WTA Finals on Friday.
Andreeva dropped just 11 games total while winning 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 doubles last year with fellow Russian Andreeva.
Shnaider led 2-0 in the first set before Andreeva took control and wrapped up the win in 55 minutes. Andreeva won 71 per cent of her first-serve points and converted six of seven break points. Shnaider committed 32 errors in her only match after spending the week practising and not knowing whether she would be needed.
“I don’t know how much fun that was,” Andreeva said. “It’s nice to share a court with your friend. It’s more nerve-wracking for me personally because I know her well.”
Muchova, a Wimbledon finalist this year, already lost her first two matches and could not have advanced to the semifinals even if she had played Friday. Muchova was the second withdrawal from the eight-day, $10 million event. Top-ranked Elena Rybakina dropped out before the tournament began last Sunday, citing a viral illness and exhaustion.