Elina Svitolina dropped simply three video games as she thrashed Linda Noskova to arrange a WTA Finals showpiece in opposition to Mirra Andreeva.
Ukraine’s Svitolina was composed and aggressive in a 6-2 6-1 victory over Wimbledon champion Noskova in simply 64 minutes.
It caps a outstanding turnaround for world quantity six Svitolina in Indian Wells, having suffered a heavy defeat in her opening group match in opposition to Andreeva.
Nevertheless, she has proven all of her combating spirit to win her subsequent three matches, together with snapping a six-match shedding streak to Aryna Sabalenka on Friday.
Svitolina now has 11 wins over top-10 opponents this 12 months – probably the most of any participant on the WTA Tour.
“After shedding the primary match I used to be able to go dwelling, and now I am within the closing,” the 32-year-old stated.
“I’ll do my homework with my coaches – I’ll attempt to win a bit extra video games than I did within the first match [against Andreeva].”
Svitolina is again on the planet’s prime 10 for the primary time since October 2021.
She took maternity go away in Might 2022 to have daughter Skai, and has made an effort to play extra aggressive tennis since her return.
She returned brilliantly in opposition to Noskova, neutralising the Czech’s huge serve from the primary sport.
Noskova was nicely under her greatest, hitting 11 double faults and committing 27 unforced errors to Svitolina’s 18.
It’s the third time Svitolina has reached the ultimate of the season-ending match, having lifted the trophy in 2018.
Earlier, Andreeva turned the youngest participant for 22 years to succeed in the WTA Finals showpiece with a composed victory over Jessica Pegula.
French Open champion Andreeva got here again from a break down in each units to win 6-3 6-4.
The 19-year-old Russian is the youngest finalist on the season-ending occasion since Maria Sharapova, who was 17 when she gained the title in 2004.
Victory over American Pegula ensures Andreeva will end the 12 months as world quantity two.
“I didn’t really feel one little bit of stress as we speak, I do not know why,” Andreeva advised Sky Sports activities.
“Often I really feel like on these necessary factors or when I’ve to shut out the match or the set I get so tight.
“However for some purpose as we speak I used to be simply enjoying. I used to be simply not desirous about something, simply attempting to get pleasure from.”
Event debutant Andreeva has but to drop a set and has not misplaced greater than 4 video games in any of her eight units.
The 18 video games she has misplaced is the fewest for a finalist on the WTA Finals because the round-robin format was launched in 2003.
Beneath the steerage of coach Conchita Martinez, Andreeva has developed her serve into an actual weapon.
She gained 77% of factors behind her first serve and hit 17 winners to outmuscle Pegula.
Andreeva additionally confirmed spectacular composure, remaining unfazed regardless of going an early break down in each units in opposition to the house favorite.
