Iga Swiatek beats Aryna Sabalenka to reach final

Iga Swiatek, the current world number two, has a chance to reclaim the top spot if she emerges victorious against Jessica Pegula in the WTA Finals in Cancun. The highly anticipated match is scheduled for Monday.

In the semifinals, Swiatek defeated Aryna Sabalenka, who recently dethroned her as the world number one after an astonishing 75-week reign. Swiatek secured a convincing 6-3 6-2 victory to advance to the final.

The 22-year-old tennis sensation from Poland aims to finish the season as the number one ranked player for the second consecutive year. Speaking about the upcoming match, Swiatek acknowledges the challenge she faces and states, “It’s still a long way away because I feel like tomorrow’s match will be the toughest one. We can talk about it tomorrow after the match. I’m just going to continue doing what I’ve been doing.”

Meanwhile, American player Jessica Pegula, aged 29, has also showcased her exceptional skills throughout the tournament. She defeated US Open champion Coco Gauff to secure her spot in the final.

In the rain-interrupted semi-final match, Swiatek displayed her dominance, immediately breaking Sabalenka’s serve to take a 4-1 lead in the first set. She maintained her momentum and eventually sealed the set. Sabalenka, who had impressive performances at the Australian Open and US Open this year, failed to create any more opportunities as Swiatek broke her serve twice in the second set, securing a comprehensive victory. This win also marked Swiatek’s 67th victory of the year, matching her record from 2022.

Notably, both Swiatek and Pegula have yet to drop a set in the tournament. Along with their impressive performances, they have earned £1.2m in prize money and 1,080 ranking points. The winner of the final will receive an additional £1.1m and 420 points.