Elina Svitolina ends six-year losing streak against Aryna Sabalenka to reach WTA Finals semifinals
WTA
Elina Svitolina produced one of the biggest victories of her season at the WTA Finals, defeating Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 to secure her place in the semifinals. The Ukrainian recovered from a difficult second set to deliver a commanding performance in the decider, ending a long losing streak against the Belarusian and keeping her hopes of winning the season-ending championship alive.
The result also brought an end to Sabalenka's campaign in Indian Wells. The former World No. 1 needed a victory to advance to the last four, but an inconsistent display and a series of costly errors ultimately proved too much to overcome. Despite finding a way back into the match after losing the opening set, she struggled to maintain that level when the encounter reached its decisive stages.
Sabalenka's elimination also has significant implications for the year-end rankings. She is now guaranteed to finish the season as World No. 3, with Mirra Andreeva set to end 2026 ahead of her. Jessica Pegula could push the Belarusian further down the standings if she goes on to win the WTA Finals.
Svitolina, meanwhile, had arrived at the match needing a win to keep her tournament alive after losing to Andreeva earlier in the group stage. Her victory over Karolina Muchova had kept her in contention, but facing Sabalenka represented a considerably tougher challenge given the Belarusian's dominance in their previous meetings.
The Ukrainian, champion in 2018, was making her first appearance at the tournament since 2019. She now has another opportunity to make a deep run, having secured a place in the semifinals with a performance that combined resilience with an impressive finish.
Svitolina takes control after strong opening set
Sabalenka initially appeared to have the upper hand, opening the match with an early break and moving into a 2-0 lead. However, Svitolina quickly found a way back, taking advantage of the Belarusian's growing number of unforced errors to recover the deficit and level at 2-2.
The Ukrainian gradually became more comfortable in the rallies, while Sabalenka struggled to maintain consistency from the baseline. Although the former World No. 1 briefly restored parity at 3-3, Svitolina won the next three games to claim the opening set 6-3.
Sabalenka responded positively after the change of ends. She raised her intensity, played with greater aggression and secured an early break in the second set to establish a 3-1 advantage. Another hold extended her lead to 4-1, putting her in a strong position to force a deciding set.
Svitolina refused to let the opportunity slip without a fight. She recovered one of the breaks and reduced the deficit to 5-3, briefly placing pressure on Sabalenka as the Belarusian attempted to close out the set. However, the former World No. 1 produced one of her strongest service games of the night to seal the 6-3 set and take the match into a decider.
Top-tier tennis 📺 Aryna Sabalenka takes the second set 6-3 against Svitolina. It's a one set showdown for a place in the semifinal 👊 #FAGEWTAFinals | #TheUltimateStage https://t.co/Eg8owB2Tk4
— wta (@WTA) November 13, 2026
Sabalenka's errors return as Svitolina completes upset
The momentum appeared to remain with Sabalenka when she opened the third set with a break. Having won six of the previous seven games, the Belarusian seemed to have found the right response at a crucial moment. However, Svitolina immediately broke back to level at 1-1 before holding serve to move ahead.
Sabalenka's problems then resurfaced. Her increasingly erratic play allowed Svitolina to apply pressure on return, and the Ukrainian secured another break after the Belarusian failed to save a third break point. Sabalenka even changed rackets during the difficult stretch, but the adjustment did little to reverse the pattern.
Svitolina consolidated for 4-1 before breaking again to move within one game of victory. The 2018 champion remained composed throughout the closing stages, while Sabalenka struggled to find the consistency needed to stop her opponent's momentum. The Ukrainian eventually completed the 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 victory, securing her first win over Sabalenka in more than six years.
REMARKABLE 😮 Elina Svitolina is a semifinalist at the 2026 FAGE WTA Finals! #FAGEWTAFinals | #TheUltimateStage https://t.co/FeA4pE4SnW
— wta (@WTA) November 13, 2026
She will now face Linda Noskova in a semifinal that will pit experience against youth. Svitolina and Pegula represent the more experienced side of the draw, with both having made multiple appearances at the WTA Finals, while Noskova and Andreeva are making their debuts at the season-ending event.
The other semifinal will see Andreeva take on Pegula, setting up two contrasting matchups between established contenders and the next generation of the women's game. For Sabalenka, meanwhile, the defeat carries consequences beyond Indian Wells: she will finish the year behind Andreeva in the rankings, while Pegula still has an opportunity to push her further down if she lifts the title.
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Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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- I, like writer of this wonderful article, also picked Noskova to win this entire thing. I would love it if she and Andreeva are in the final.Rapunzel12-11-2026
- "Priorities", Saba... spend less time in front of cameras, anti-Social Media, selfies and back to Tennis.
mandoist12-11-2026 - Tell this to Andreeva!mandoist12-11-2026
- Andreeva with 11 games in a row to add to Saba's downward spiral issue !!! Personal feelings aside... Jess Pegula may want to reassess her evaluation of Mirra's abilities.mandoist12-11-2026
- I predicted whenthe list was finalised that Linda Noskova would win the WTA Finals and her matches against Gauff and Kostyuk prove that. She is the best (underrated) player in the world!Rapunzel11-11-2026
- Either Lena has a chronic internal ailment (i.e., colitis, enteritis, Crohn's, or some type of lower abdomen issue) -- or she is once again dealing with 'Vukovitis'. Mental stress can indeed cause lower body pains. No matter... whatever is truly going on sucks. "Virus" excuse is getting a bit old -- and often -- at this point.mandoist09-11-2026
- Ironically, Martina became a U.S. Citizen about the same time as the Orange Convicted Felon & Abuser was just beginning on his road to losing all Daddy's Millions!!mandoist09-11-2026
- "Another fresh start is in the cards." Thanks for the Humor!! I'm guessing this is the minimum one can do to keep all your sponsors hanging-on in perpetuity?mandoist09-11-2026
- Vukov is doing this to Lena... AGAIN!!!!! WTA's autonomous collective should be dismantled for allowing Vukov to re-emerge from his hand-slapping suspension. Just ask WTA employees how that's been going lately as they witness his continued verbal abuses. Women's Pro Tennis should start over.mandoist08-11-2026
- Can't help but suspect Vukov is back to his old self again. Thank you, WTA. Perhaps you can give them a "Battling Couple of the Year Award 2026" ??mandoist08-11-2026
