Elina Svitolina wins the WTA Finals in Singapore!
Ranked no.7, the Ukrainian started her run in Singapore under the radar as some other players such as Naomi Osaka, Karolina Pliskova and Caroline Wozniacki were considered as the favorites.
Elina was of a different opinion and she impressed already in the opening match after defeating Petra Kvitova 6-3 6-3. However, the Czech didn’t look at her very best, therefore Elina had to confirm that she was there to win, and she did it after beating Karolina Pliskova 6-3 2-6 6-3 in her second match. As the confidence was growing, Svitolina stunned also the defending champion, Caroline Wozniacki, in the 3rd match 5-7 7-5 6-3. LAter, the Ukrainian had to win a tough semifinal against another outsider, Kiki Bertens, 7-5 6-7 (5) 6-4.
The final
After such of an intense week, Svitolina had to face the last (and big) hurdle in the final as she was opposed to an in-form Sloane Stephens. The American is well-known for not being very consistent during her seasons, but if she is switched on in a given tournament she is really tricky to beat, and is Singapore she was rather switched on!
Sloane looked in a great position after she won the first set 6-3. However, Elina started to gather momentum from the beginning of the second set also because the American was losing a bit in intensity. The world n.7 won 9 of the following 11 games and grab a decisive 3-6 6-2 3-0 lead.
Sloane tried to fight back to win 2 games (3-2), but it was too late. Elina conquered the last 3 before winning the match 3-6 6-2 6-2.
How hard work did pay
Soon after the match, Elina commented
“I was clear with what I had to do on court. I have been working really, really hard. Even though my results weren’t good, since Wimbledon, I had four or five weeks where I was on court and in the gym working.
These past five months, there have been lots of work that I was putting in. That’s why for me it was a little bit disappointing, and I was trying to stay very positive because I was giving everything on the practice court and results were, not what I expected. That’s why I was a little bit sad.”
This is Svitolina’s 13th career title, the 4th of the season after Brisbane, Dubai, and Rome.
MOST IMPORTANT TITLE OF HER CAREER!
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