Barty, Svitolina advance at WTA Finals
SHENZHEN, China— Topranked Ash Barty advanced Saturday to the final of the WTA Finals where she faces defending champion Elina Svitolina, a player she has never beaten in five previous attempts.
Barty, like Svitolina, dropped the opening set of her semifinal before beating secondranked Karolina Pliskova of Czech Republic 46, 62, 63.
“I felt like the whole match was an incredibly high level,” Barty said. “I’m just pleased to get another chance to play out here. It’s amatch I can come out and try to enjoy. I have nothing to lose. It’s an opportunity against a really tough player.”
Belinda Bencic retired in the third set as Svitolina outlasted the injured Swiss to win 57, 63, 41 and reach her second straight final at the WTA Finals.
“It’s still kind of like not realizing that I’m in the final,” Svitolina said, but added “it’s tough to play someonewho has been injured.”
This has been a standout season for Barty, whowon her first Grand Slam title at the French Open, and attained top ranking for the first time. Barty is Australia’s first female yearend No. 1.
Barty said “it’s been an incredible year formyself andmy team,” and called Sunday’s final “the perfect way to cap it off.”
She is relishing the opportunity to try and finally beat Svitolina.
“I have an opportunity to try something different,” Barty said. “Previously what we’ve done hasn’t quite worked or I haven’t executed well enough over a long enough period to be effective.”
Barty posted 11 aces to only one for Pliskova.
This marked the third consecutive year that Pliskova had advanced to the semifinals, but she’s yet to contest for the title in a final.
Bencic was already struggling before the end of the first set, which she won. Bencic later said it was a hamstring problem and cramping.
Svitolina hadmade it through the group stage without dropping a set.
Winning the WTA Finals in Singapore last season remains the biggest title of her career.
After holding serve to lead 65 in the first set against Svitolina, Bencic received a medical timeout to have treatment during the changeover. Back on court, Bencic took the set on her third set point with a backhand downtheline winner.
But the leg injury caused more problems for Bencic, allowing Svitolina to gain control of the match.
Bencic, who lost her serve in the first and ninth games of the second set, received further treatment when trailing 12 and 34 at the changeovers.
In the third set, Svitolina went ahead 30, and by 41 Bencic couldn’t continue.
Bencic said the slowness of the court hindered movement, although Svitolina appears to enjoy the surface.
“I really didn’t want to retire,” Bencic said. “I wanted to finish the match. It was not possible. I’m really disappointed about howmy body failed me.
“Also, I think these courts are really not ideal.”
Naomi Osaka, the reigning Australian Open champion, withdrew ahead of her second roundrobin match with a right shoulder injury.
Reigning U. S. Open champion Bianca Andreescu with drew before her third roundrobin match after injuring her knee in the previous match.