Ukraine’s top-ranked player Elina Svitolina has reached the semifinals of the WTA 250 tournament in Auckland. The Ukrainian defeated Britain’s Sonay Kartal in three sets.
This was reported by Champion.
Top seed Elina Svitolina advanced to the semifinals of the WTA 250 event in Auckland after beating Britain’s Sonay Kartal in the third round. The match lasted 2 hours and 7 minutes and ended 6–4, 6–7(2), 7–6(5).
It was a difficult contest for Svitolina. She edged the opening set in a tight battle and then mounted a comeback from 1–5 in the second set to force a tiebreak, which she eventually lost 6–7(2).
Kartal again took control early in the decider, leading 5–3, but Svitolina denied her the chance to serve out the match. At 5–5, the Ukrainian held from 15–40 before winning the deciding tiebreak 7–6(5).
Svitolina hit one ace, made one double fault and converted five breaks of serve. Kartal recorded two aces, no double faults and four breaks.
In the semifinals, Svitolina will face third seed Iva Jovic. The match is scheduled for January 10 at the ASB Classic.