Elena Rybakina stuns Iga Swiatek to reach WTA Finals semifinals
Elena Rybakina reached her first WTA Finals semifinal by defeating Iga Swiatek 3-6, 6-1, 6-0. Amanda Anisimova also advanced after beating Madison Keys. Swiatek and Anisimova will face off on Wednesday for a spot in the semifinals
Riyadh: Elena Rybakina qualified for the WTA Finals semifinals for the first time after overcoming Iga Swiatek 3-6, 6-1, 6-0 on Monday.
That result, along with Amanda Anisimova’s win over Madison Keys in their first professional matchup, meant that Swiatek and Anisimova will play on Wednesday for a spot in the semifinals.
Swiatek had beaten Anisimova in the Wimbledon final 6-0, 6-0, but Anisimova ousted Swiatek in the U.S. Open quarterfinals 6-4, 6-3.
Australian Open champion Keys, with a 0-2 record, was out of contention.
No. 6-ranked Rybakina reached the semifinals for the first time in her third WTA Finals. She extended her fine form from Asia, having won eight successive matches and 10 of her last 11.
However, having lost her previous four matches against No. 2 Swiatek, Rybakina started a bit overawed, and Swiatek took the first set with just one break.
Then Rybakina settled into her rhythm, served better, and Swiatek unraveled. The Pole, whose serve was declining, made six unforced errors in the first set but 36 across the last two.
No. 4-ranked Anisimova broke No. 7 Keys six times in a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 win.
Keys had the early advantage in the second set, but Anisimova won the last four games of the second set and the last six games of the match. (AP)
