Aryna Sabalenka’s bid for a fourth Grand Slam title and a strong finish to her 2024 campaign came to an abrupt halt at the WTA Finals, where Elina Svitolina delivered a decisive blow to the Belarusian’s season. The former world number one, who had not failed to reach the quarterfinals at this tournament since 2021, suffered a crushing 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 defeat that eliminated her from the knockout stage. The loss marked a stark contrast to her previous form and signaled a significant dip in momentum as the year drew to a close.
The former world number one collapsed in the final set, extending a turbulent week in Riyadh.
Sabalenka’s frustration was palpable on court, culminating in a visible emotional breakdown as she crouched to the ground after dropping a crucial point. Although she managed to force a deciding set after unravelling in the latter stages of the first, she lost the final six games in a rapid collapse. This defeat followed a particularly bruising 24 hours, just two days after she lost each of the last 11 games in a heavy loss to Mirra Andreeva, highlighting a concerning trend of inconsistency in high-pressure matches.
Svitolina, the 2018 WTA Finals champion, secures a place in the semi-finals where she will face Czech world number eight Linda Noskova. Meanwhile, the tournament’s narrative shifts to the other side of the bracket, where Mirra Andreeva, who defeated Sabalenka earlier in the group stage, prepares to face Jessica Pegula for a spot in Sunday’s final. The result underscores the volatility of the current WTA landscape, where even elite players like Sabalenka can see their seasons derailed by sudden slumps in form.
Source: BBC Sport
