Ukrainian Elina Svitolina achieved a hard-fought victory over Chinese tennis player Siju Wang in the semifinals of the ASB Classic Auckland Open.
ASB Classic Auckland Open, Semifinals
Wang – Svitolina – 1:2 (6:2, 4:6, 3:6)
The match started extremely unfavorably for Ukraine's top-ranked player. After taking the first point on her own serve, she lost four consecutive games. Wang secured two breaks and gained a strategic advantage with prospects of quickly finishing the set.
Svitolina tried to resist. The Ukrainian managed to break her opponent's serve once, but Wang responded with another break. As a result, the Chinese player had the opportunity to serve for the set, and she successfully converted the set point on her first attempt. However, this local success turned out to be the last.
In the second set, the opponents focused on their own serves. This continued until the tenth game. In that game, Svitolina immediately posed a challenge and eventually seized the initiative. In the end, the Ukrainian tennis player made a crucial break, which also served as a set point.
In the deciding set, key events unfolded in the middle of the set. Svitolina essentially mirrored the events of the match's start. The Ukrainian played even more confidently, securing two breaks and leading 5:1. Although Wang attempted a comeback, she suffered too many losses. On her second attempt, Svitolina converted the match point.
In the final, Svitolina will face American Cori Gauff, who confidently defeated compatriot Emma Navarro in the semifinals (6:3, 6:1). The decisive match is scheduled for January 8.
