Iga Swiatek cruises past Aryna Sabalenka into decider of WTA Finals, closes in on No. 1 return
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Updated 06/11/2023 at 07:40 GMT
Iga Swiatek is close to a return to world No. 1 after beating Aryna Sabalenka 6-3 6-2 to move into the decider of the WTA Finals in Cancun, where she will face Jessica Pegula. The match had started on Saturday, but had to finish on Sunday due to the rainy weather conditions in Mexico. As a result, the season-ending tournament has been extended by a day.
Iga Swiatek beat Aryna Sabalenka to reach the decider of the WTA Finals
Image credit: Getty Images
Iga Swiatek is closing in on a return to the world No. 1 ranking after reaching the decider of the WTA Finals for the first time by beating Aryna Sabalenka 6-3 6-2 in Cancun.
The four-time Grand Slam champion will take on Jessica Pegula for the title, having recorded her 67th win of the season.
Poor weather conditions, which have affected the whole of the season-ending tournament, meant the second semi-final had to be finished on Sunday. That has had an effect on the rest of the schedule, with both the singles and doubles deciders being moved to a reserve day on Monday.
Last year, it was Sabalenka who came out on top in the semis, beating Swiatek in three sets before losing to Caroline Garcia in the final. But Swiatek wasted no time when this match resumed 2-1 up on serve, breaking Sabalenka in the first game as she began to assert her dominance over the reigning Australian Open champion.
Although epic in the time it took to complete, the Pole never dropped serve and needed just 1 hour 36 minutes of match-time to see off the currently top ranked Belarusian. She has lost just 19 games throughout her run to the final, the fewest anyone has leaked at the WTA event since Justine Henin in 2007.
Victory over Pegula on Monday would guarantee Swiatek the year-ending world No.1 ranking for the second season running. Otherwise, Sabalenka will retain the top status and end the year at the summit for the first time in her career.
Both Swiatek and Pegula have four wins from as many matches and although the world No. 2 has won five out of their eight meetings, the American was victorious last time out, outlasting Swiatek in three sets in the last four of the Canadian Open. Pegula will also benefit from extra rest, having beaten Coco Gauff on Saturday.
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“Jessie is a great player, and she fully deserves to be in the final of any tournament,” Swiatek said after her win over Sabalanka.
“I know it’s not going to be easy, there’s a lot to think about. I’m just going to focus on myself.
“She’s really solid and can handle everything mentally. I’ll do my best and give 100%, that’s all I can do.”
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