Elina Svitolina delivered a career-defining performance to eliminate Aryna Sabalenka from the WTA Finals, securing a semi-final berth against Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova. The former world No. 1 suffered a catastrophic collapse, losing the final six games in a row to drop the decisive set 6-1. This defeat marks the end of a turbulent 2026 campaign for Sabalenka, who failed to win a Grand Slam title and was dethroned at World No. 1 by Elena Rybakina.
World No. 2’s season ends in disarray after losing six straight games to Elina Svitolina
Svitolina, making her WTA Finals appearance since 2019, broke a six-year losing streak against Sabalenka with a resilient 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 victory. The Ukrainian twice recovered from early breaks to seize control, capitalizing on Sabalenka’s visible unraveling. This result follows Sabalenka’s crushing defeat to Mirra Andreeva just two days prior, where she also lost 11 consecutive games, highlighting a persistent fragility in her high-pressure matches this season.
The outcome cements Sabalenka’s exit at the group stage for the first time since 2021, a stark contrast to her previous dominance. Svitolina described the match as a “roller coaster” but expressed immense satisfaction with her tactical execution. With the semi-final lineup now set, Noskova prepares to face a confident Svitolina, while Sabalenka must regroup after a season defined by high-profile finals losses and a drop in global ranking.
Source: Yahoo Sports
