Sabalenka surges past Swiatek in comeback win to keep WTA Finals hopes alive

Aryna Sabalenka is off and running in her opening campaign at the WTA Finals after seeing off Iga Swiatek 2-6, 6-2, 7-5 in a display which keeps her semi-final hopes alive.

With Paula Badosa winning earlier in the evening, she wins through and there will now be a straight shootout between the top seed and Maria Sakkari on Monday for the final spot in the semi-finals.

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Swiatek had the momentum early on in the tie claiming the opener 6-2 breaking Sabalenka twice in the process.

She was given a look in by the Belarusian who served at only 42% on first serve with Swiatek on 79% of second serve return points.

But in a real theme to the contest, Sabalenka had the crowd firmly behind her and broke to lead 3-2 in the second set and improved her serve percentage to 79% as she ran off five straight games, saved a trio of break points and produced aces in two to take it 6-2 and regain momentum.

After early breaks of serve, Sabalenka and Swiatek were locked in at 4-4. This featured 15 double faults for Sabalenka but her first serve was still producing.

But the resolve of Swiatek was diminished as Sabalenka broke at 6-5 to go towards the finishing line sweeping her final service game to claim it on her first match point.

This now means the Pole is officially out of the reckoning in Guadalajara and like alluded to a straight shootout will define the final spot.

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Comeback kid 😤 With a ʀᴏᴄᴋɪɴɢ crowd behind her, @SabalenkaA fights her way to victory over Swiatek! #AKRONWTAFinals

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