Elina Svitolina’s defensive masterclass seals WTA Finals win against Stephens

Elina Svitolina stretched each sinew in a first rate display of shielding tennis to check in the most important win of her career when she rallied for a 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 victory towards Sloane Stephens in an spell binding WTA Finals name decider on Sunday.

Svitolina had arrived in Singapore woefully out of form however the baseliner accrued momentum as the tournament stepped forward, winning all 3 pool matches and a semi‑very last earlier than the Ukrainian subdued a fast‑starting Stephens.

“that is a very unique second for me in my profession and it will provide me lots of self belief for the season coming beforehand, i am virtually thrilled with my overall performance,” Svitolina said after she acquired the Billie Jean King trophy.

Stephens, who seems deceptively casual however possesses best speed and athleticism, settled the faster towards a worried-looking Svitolina, breaking at the first possibility to put down an early marker.

After a lacklustre start, however, Svitolina started out warming to her project and found some variety and intensity to fashion two break-lower back points however Stephens’s forehand changed into dialled in and she or he moved 3-0 beforehand whilst the Ukrainian’s backhand faltered.

Svitolina ultimately were given at the scoreboard in the fourth game, able to placate the Stephens forehand with some fantastic defence, but the American persevered to pound away at the corners to maintain her wreck benefit.
Svitolina continued to plug away, protecting another tight provider recreation to live alive within the opener, but Stephens sealed the set while her opponent could simplest find the net with a backhand from deep behind the baseline.

there was very little to choose among the gamers as the fit proceeded and it became Svitolina’s flip to make the initial step forward inside the 2d set while she capitalised on untidy play from Stephens to side a smash in advance.

The Ukrainian was pumping her fist enthusiastically after each prevailing factor as her opponent abruptly appeared torpid, her active play rewarded with a third wreck of the set to send the competition right into a decider.
the arena No 7 become dictating terms as Stephens struggled to match Svitolina’s relentless pace and as soon as the Ukrainian moved 3-zero in advance after edging  epic games, the yank ought to sense her possibilities have been slipping away. Stephens made one final effort to fight her way again into the in shape, however Svitolina kept the points lengthy to force her opponent into unforced errors as she sought winners and wrapped up a memorable victory while Stephens skewed a backhand huge.

Stephens said: “i am first-rate satisfied that i used to be capable to complete off the season the way I did. obviously, it was not the result I wanted however I worked really difficult to get here, am happy with my play and truely pleased with what I did this week.”

Svitolina’s triumph was her 13th victory in 15 finals and ought to leave the Ukrainian complete of self assurance as she looks to make a grand slam breakthrough in 2019.