Swiatek defeats Sabalenka in semis, keeps hope alive for year-end No 1 ranking

Iga Swiatek has racked up a whole host of accomplishments throughout her young career on tour. One tick mark that is missing, however, is a title at the year-end championship. In fact, Swiatek has never even played in the championship match of the WTA Finals.

But that will change on Monday after the world No 2 beat Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 6-2 in the second semifinal on Sunday evening in Cancun, Mexico. Swiatek cruised in one hour and 10 minutes to set up a winner-take-all showdown with Jessica Pegula.

It was tough even though the score says 6-3, 6-2.

Iga Swiatek

It wasn’t entirely smooth sailing for Swiatek, in part because of the weather. The match got rained out just 18 minutes and three games into it on Saturday, suspended with Sabalenka serving at 1-1, 30-all in the first set. Swiatek came right back out a day later and won the first two points to break for 2-1. After that, Cancun’s No 1 seed was off to the races.

Two breaks in the second set were more than enough for Swiatek, who dropped only five points in her last four service games.

“I’m really, really happy,” the 22-year-old commented during her on-court interview. “I think that was the toughest and also the nicest match I have played here. I’m happy that I could really show you guys my game. I was happy that today I could get even better. For sure it was tough even though the score says 6-3, 6-2; every point was important and every game was tight.”

Performances don't get much better than that 🙌@iga_swiatek | #WTAFinals | #GNPSegurosWTAFinalsCancun pic.twitter.com/1FtQESMmua

— wta (@WTA) November 6, 2023

Swiatek one win away from No 1

Had Sabalenka prevailed on Sunday, she would have clinched the year-end No 1 ranking. Now, however, Swiatek still has a chance. It all comes down to Sunday’s final between her and Jessica Pegula. If Swiatek manages to lift the trophy, she will be No 1 in the world. If Pegula prevails, the Pole will remain No 2 behind the Belarusian.

Pegula defeated fellow American and doubles partner Coco Gauff 6-2, 6-1 in the first semifinal on Saturday before rain pushed the Swiatek-Sabalenka match to Sunday.

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