Svitolina stuns Sabalenka as Andreeva completes perfect WTA Finals group campaign

WASHINGTON, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine's Elina Svitolina staged a remarkable comeback to defeat world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka in three sets on Friday, securing a place in the semifinals of the WTA Finals, while Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva wrapped up the group stage with a perfect record.

Sixth-ranked Svitolina recovered from an early break in the deciding set to overpower Sabalenka 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, claiming her second victory in eight career meetings with the Belarusian.

"I feel now I'm also a different player in a way because I'm playing more aggressive. I try to go a little bit more for my shots," Svitolina said.

After dropping her serve in the opening game of the third set, Svitolina quickly turned the match around, reeling off six consecutive games to seal the win. Sabalenka saved three match points in the final game, but Svitolina held her nerve, producing two aces before finishing the contest with a powerful forehand winner.

The defeat brought an underwhelming end to Sabalenka's WTA Finals campaign. Despite winning three titles during the season, including the Indian Wells and Miami tournaments in March, she ended the year without a Grand Slam crown after finishing runner-up at both the Australian Open and the US Open. She also surrendered her world No. 1 ranking to Elena Rybakina.

Earlier on Friday, Andreeva produced a commanding performance to defeat compatriot Diana Shnaider 6-2, 6-1, completing the group stage with three wins from three matches.

The 19-year-old, who won the French Open earlier this year, dropped just 11 games across her three group matches to finish atop Group 2.

"Before the tournament started, I was stressed -- I was afraid that I wouldn't win a match in the group, and now you see how it turned out. It is very nice," said Andreeva.

Shnaider, who entered the singles draw as a late replacement for the injured Karolina Muchova, made her WTA Finals singles debut.

Andreeva will meet American Jessica Pegula while Svitolina takes on Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova in Saturday's semifinals.

"We've only practiced twice, and the first match that we're going to play each other is at WTA Finals. It's a little interesting, but I'm sure it's going to be very entertaining and nice match to watch," Andreeva said of her match against Pegula.