Elina Svitolina produced a commanding deciding-set performance to upset Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 on Friday and advance to the semifinals of the season-ending WTA Finals in Indian Wells, where Linda Noskova awaits.
Svitolina handled the Belarusian's power throughout the contest, soaking it up and sending it back with interest on her way to six breaks of serve. She closed out the victory, her first over Sabalenka in more than six years, with a forehand winner on her fourth match point, improving her record in their head-to-head meetings to 2-6.
"It was a bit of a roller-coaster match," Svitolina told reporters. "I played well in the first set but lost a little bit of rhythm. She played well in the second and served much better. I was really happy with the way I could come back in the third after losing the first game."
As she has done since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Svitolina did not shake hands with her opponent after the match, continuing her policy of declining handshakes with Russian and Belarusian players. The Ukrainian, who won the WTA Finals title in 2018, meets Noskova on Saturday with a place in the final at stake.
The loss brought Sabalenka's season to a deflating end. The second seed had started the year strongly, winning the Brisbane International in January before capturing Indian Wells and the Miami Open in March to complete the "Sunshine Double," but she failed to lift another trophy after that run.
Sabalenka also lost the world number one ranking to Elena Rybakina at the US Open. She had arrived at the season finale among the favourites after Rybakina pulled out on the eve of the tournament because of illness. Sabalenka did not speak to the media after Friday's defeat.
Earlier on Friday, tournament debutant Andreeva extended her impressive run with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over fellow Russian Diana Shnaider, her third straight-sets win of the week. Shnaider, Andreeva's friend and doubles partner, had stepped in for Karolina Muchova, who withdrew before the final day of round-robin play with a gastrointestinal illness.
Andreeva had already clinched her semifinal spot before taking the court against Shnaider and will face American Jessica Pegula on Saturday.
The eight-day, $10m tournament was relocated from Riyadh to Indian Wells Tennis Garden because of the United States-Israeli war on Iran. From next year, the event will be staged in Charlotte.
