After dropping just 13 games in the round-robin stage, Iga Swiatek was stunned by Aryna Sabalenka 6-2 2-6 6-1 in the semifinals of the WTA Finals.
Entering the match, Swiatek boasted a 4-0 record against Sabalenka this season, having defeated her en route to the title in Doha, Stuttgart, Rome and the US Open. Moreover, the world number one had won 15 consecutive matches against Top 10 opponents. Early into the semifinal in Fort Worth, it looked like Swiatek’s dominance would continue, as she comfortably earned two break points in the opening game. But the situation changed…
After saving two break points in her first service game, Sabalenka built a 2-0 lead and even though Swiatek broke her serve in the third game, the Pole never managed to level and the Belarusian cruised through the opening set.
Swiatek opened the second set with a 4-0 40-30 lead and even though Sabalenka won two consecutive games to go from 0-4 to 2-4, it was the top seed who continued to dominate and forced a decider.
The seventh-seeded Sabalenka regained control in the third set and stunned the title favorite for the first time in their five career meetings this season.
Sabalenka’s final opponent will be Caroline Garcia, who cruised past Maria Sakkari earlier on Sunday.
Aryna is playing confidently, and has a good chance to beat Caro in the finals.