<p>Iga Swiatek, ranked second, upset Aryna Sabalenka, rated one in the world, 6-3, 6-2, on Sunday to advance to the WTA Finals championship match, where she will take against Jessica Pegula, the other undefeated player.</p>
<p>Swiatek denied Sabalenka a win that would have guaranteed the 25-year-old Belarusian the top position at the end of the year by defeating the current Australian Open champion.<img decoding=”async” class=”alignnone wp-image-270748″ src=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/theindiaprint.com-bigg-boss-17-munawar-faruqui-hides-a-coffee-box-in-his-pants-after-stealing-it-dow.jpg” alt=”theindiaprint.com bigg boss 17 munawar faruqui hides a coffee box in his pants after stealing it dow” width=”1086″ height=”698″ srcset=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/theindiaprint.com-bigg-boss-17-munawar-faruqui-hides-a-coffee-box-in-his-pants-after-stealing-it-dow.jpg 280w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/theindiaprint.com-bigg-boss-17-munawar-faruqui-hides-a-coffee-box-in-his-pants-after-stealing-it-dow-150×96.jpg 150w” sizes=”(max-width: 1086px) 100vw, 1086px” title=”WTA Finals: No. 2 Iga Swiatek Wins Semifinal Against No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6″></p>
<p>Instead, by beating American Pegula in Monday’s final match, reigning French Open champion Swiatek of Poland will be able to secure the top slot at the conclusion of the season for the second straight year.</p>
<p>“I think tomorrow’s match will be the hardest one, so I feel like it’s still a long way off,” Swiatek said. “After the game tomorrow, we can discuss it. I’ll simply go on with my current course of action.</p>
<p>Two months ago, Sabalenka surpassed Swiatek to take the top spot, but she would only hold it if Pegula wins.</p>
<p>In less than an hour on Saturday, Pegula defeated her countrywoman Coco Gauff 6-2, 6-1 to advance to the WTA Finals title match and extend her winning run to nine games overall.</p>
<p>Although Swiatek has a 5-3 overall advantage against Pegula in their rivalry, the American has prevailed in two of their three encounters so far this year—at the United Cup and in a hardcourt semifinal in August. In this year’s Doha final, Swiatek prevailed against Pegula.</p>
<p>Swiatek said, “I can’t really tell you the keys for tomorrow.” “I’ll put some effort into that.”</p>
<p>Rain disrupted the week’s program at the outdoor hardcourts in Cancun, Mexico, causing Swiatek and Sabalenka to be stopped after only three games in their semi-final match on Saturday night. As a result, the final was postponed until Monday.</p>
<p>When play began on Sunday, Swiatek led 2-1 on serve and the Pole went on to win the first set’s lone break.</p>
<p>Swiatek maintained serve to win on her first match point with a winning serve after breaking early in the second set and breaking again for a 5-2 lead with an overhead smash.</p>
<p>Sabalenka defeated Swiatek in the semifinals of the WTA Finals the year before, and the two players had split their first two matches this year, both on clay.</p>
