{"id":22393,"date":"2023-11-08T04:12:07","date_gmt":"2023-11-08T04:12:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/swiatek-beats-sabalenka-in-wta-finals-semis-the-express-tribune\/"},"modified":"2023-11-08T04:12:07","modified_gmt":"2023-11-08T04:12:07","slug":"swiatek-beats-sabalenka-in-wta-finals-semis-the-express-tribune","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/swiatek-beats-sabalenka-in-wta-finals-semis-the-express-tribune\/","title":{"rendered":"Swiatek beats Sabalenka in WTA Finals semis | The Express Tribune"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\nCANC\u00faN, MEXICO:
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Second-ranked Iga Swiatek defeated world number one Aryna Sabalenka<\/a> 6-3, 6-2 on Sunday to reach the title match of the WTA Finals, where she will face fellow unbeaten Jessica Pegula.<\/p>\n

By downing the reigning Australian Open champion, Swiatek denied Sabalenka a victory that would have clinched the year-end top ranking for the 25-year-old from Belarus.<\/p>\n

Instead, reigning French Open champion Swiatek of Poland can claim the year-end world number one spot for the second consecutive season by defeating American Pegula in Monday’s championship match.<\/p>\n

“I feel like it’s still a long way away because I feel like tomorrow’s match will be the toughest one,” Swiatek said. “We can talk about it tomorrow after the match. I’m just going to continue doing what I’ve been doing.”<\/p>\n

Sabalenka overtook Swiatek<\/a> for the top ranking two months ago but would keep it only if Pegula wins.<\/p>\n

Pegula beat compatriot Coco Gauff 6-2, 6-1 in an hour on Saturday to reach the WTA Finals championship match, stretching her overall win streak to nine matches.<\/p>\n

Swiatek owns a 5-3 career edge over Pegula<\/a> in their rivalry but the American has won two of their three meetings this year, at the United Cup and in an August semi-final on Montreal hardcourts. Swiatek beat Pegula in this year’s Doha final.<\/p>\n

“I can’t truly tell you the keys for tomorrow,” Swiatek said. “I’m going to work on that.”<\/p>\n

The final was delayed to Monday due to rain that played havoc with the week’s schedule at the outdoor hardcourts in Cancun, Mexico — including stopping Swiatek and Sabalenka only three games into their semi-final on Saturday night.<\/p>\n

Swiatek was ahead 2-1 on serve when play resumed Sunday and the Pole went on the grab the only break of the opening set.<\/p>\n

Swiatek broke early in the second set and broke again for 5-2 with an overhead smash, then held serve to win on her first match point on a service winner.<\/p>\n

Sabalenka had beaten Swiatek in last year’s WTA Finals semi-finals and they had split two prior meetings this year, both on clay.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n