Fourth seed Amanda Anisimova of the United States came from behind to beat second seed Iga Swiatek of Poland 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-2 on Wednesday, advancing to the semifinals of the WTA Finals.
With Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan already securing a semifinal spot as the winner of the Serena Williams group, Anisimova and Swiatek — both with one win and one loss before the match — faced off in a decisive showdown for the remaining berth.
The two had met twice earlier this year, with Swiatek sweeping 12 straight games to dominate the Wimbledon final, while Anisimova took revenge in the U.S. Open quarterfinals.
In the opening set, both players held serve tightly. Although Anisimova earned four break points, Swiatek saved them all and prevailed 7-6(3) in a tiebreak after the first 12 games went on serve, reports Xinhua.
The second set remained highly competitive. Anisimova saved three break points in the third game to hold serve, and the two traded holds until 5-4. In Swiatek’s fifth service game, the American seized her chance for a crucial late break, winning the set 6-4 to level the match.
In the decider, Anisimova continued to apply pressure on Swiatek’s serve. The Pole saved her first service game but double-faulted on break point in her next. Leading 5-2, Anisimova broke again to close out the match 6-2 and complete the comeback.
“The first set was super tough,” Anisimova said afterwards. “I think I just made fewer errors in the second and third sets. I was trying to play higher-percentage tennis and just keep going for it. I went for my serve a lot more. I just knew I had to step my level up a little if I wanted to win the match in the end.”
In the group’s other match on Wednesday, in-form Rybakina continued her impressive run, defeating Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova — who entered as an alternate — 6-4, 6-4 to claim her third consecutive group-stage victory. Rybakina’s original opponent, American Madison Keys, had withdrawn before the match due to illness.
IANS