Aryna Sabalenlka has ended Iga Swaitek’s run of 15 consecutive wins over top-10 players to book her place in the final of the WTA Finals for the first time in her career.
Sabalenka, who is currently ranked seventh in the world, hit 26 winners past the top seed during her 6-2, 2-6, 6-1, win. It is the first time this season she has defeated Swiatek after suffering four straight losses to the Pole, including in the semi-finals of the US Open. Coincidentally her only other previous win over the three-time Grand Slam champion was also at the WTA Finals when it was staged in Mexico 12 months ago.
“It was a great match. She played unbelievable tennis and I played unbelievable tennis. I’m just super happy with this win.” Sabalenka said during her press conference.
“I was really calm on the court. And the mindset was just I wanted to make her work for it. I didn’t want to give her another easy win like she got with her first three wins. That’s the mindset I had during this match.” She added.
It is the first time in her career that Sabalenka has defeated all of the world’s top three players in the same tournament. Earlier in the week she also scored wins over No.3 Jessica Pegula and No.2 One Jabeur. Until this tournament, she had only defeated two top 10 players in 2022.
“I think I’m doing pretty well during this season, mentality. It’s been an unbelievable week for me. I have worked really hard during the season even when things weren’t working well for me,” said Sabalenka who has struggled with her serve throughout the season.
“I worked a lot during this season and being in the final is a lot for me. I’m just super happy and I’ll stay free. It’s the last match of the season and I’m ready to give everything I have.”
Sabalenka is only the second player from Belarus to have ever reached the title match at the WTA Finals after Victoria Azarenka in 2011.
As for Swiatek, her standout year has come to an end. Overall, she has won 67 matches on the Tour and claimed eight WTA titles, including two Grand Slams and four WTA 1000 events. Her year-end ranking points tally is the highest achieved in women’s tennis since Serena Williams back in 2013.
“I’m not gonna lie to you, I’ve been waiting for that moment because last week it was pretty hard to see the finish line but still be fully motivated and ready for every match,” said Swiatek.
“On the one hand I’m sad that I lost, but on the other hand, I have one more day off. That’s something on the bright side. This season has been so intense and I’m so proud of myself that I could play so well till the end of it. I’m happy that it’s done.”
Garcia awaits
The title match will be contested between the two lowest-ranked players in the field. Standing in Sabalenka’s way of the title is Caroline Garcia who stormed to a 6-3, 6-2, win over Maria Sakkari in less than 80 minutes. The Frenchwoman hit a total of 21 winners against 17 unforced errors and dropped serve only once en route to the victory.
“Yesterday, I was a little bit tired — nothing unusual after such a big match,” Garcia said in her on-court interview. “This morning, obviously the legs were a bit heavy, but I was just so excited, the emotion and the win yesterday to be playing a semifinal today of the WTA Finals.
“I was feeling very pumped. This morning I talked to my physio [Laura Legoupil] and I said, `I hope it’s going to last long enough to go to the match.’”
Defeating Sakkari could be a good omen for Garcia who also beat the Greek en route to titles at the 2017 Wuhan Open and 2022 Western and Southern Open. She is the oldest player to qualify for the season-ending event since Venus Williams in 2017 and is only the third player from her country to reach the final.
Garcia’s head-to-head record against Sabalenka is currently tied at 2-2 but three out of their four meetings occurred back in 2018. Their most recent clash was earlier this year in Cincinnati where Garcia prevailed in three sets.
“Aryna is a very powerful player. Huge serve, huge forehand and she look like she’s playing some great tennis here so far,” Garcia previewed of the final.
“We know that she’s always showing a lot of emotion on the court, going for her shots. I played her a couple of months ago in Cincinnati. I would like to put pressure on her obviously and to be able to use their ball as well. But I will try to play my game.”
