Sportsupdated 27m ago2 min read
Archive photo · 17 March 2008Elina Svitolina Comes Back To Beat Karolina Muchova At WTA Finals
“Elina Svitolina says she ‘got a bit angry at myself’ to inspire a comeback victory over Karolina Muchova”
“Down a set, Elina Svitolina was staring up at the sky taking medical treatment for a right leg issue.”
Photo: IvanAndreevich, CC BY 3.0 · Cropped for layout
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
Svitolina came back from a set down to defeat Muchova 3-6, 6-2, 6-2. The win keeps her semifinal hopes alive at the WTA Finals group stage.
Save coverage image
Svitolina rallies vs Muchova
Elina Svitolina turned a poor start into a 3-6 6-2 6-2 comeback victory over Karolina Muchova at the WTA Finals to keep her semi-final hopes alive. Svitolina said, "I was really angry at myself after the first match and the first set," after taking a medical timeout for a right hip injury.
Svitolina then wore down Muchova, who hit 39 unforced errors, and Svitolina celebrated after securing the win. Sky Sports highlighted the match as "Elina Svitolina vs Karolina Muchova | WTA Finals highlights" as the Ukrainian improved her position in Group 2.
Group 2 picture tightens
Aryna Sabalenka and Mirra Andreeva won their first WTA Finals matches on Monday, November 9, in Indian Wells, California, and they faced each other on Wednesday with one win each in Group 2. The WTA said Muchova arrived at the match without losing any tiebreaks she had contested during the season, and Sabalenka won 7-2 in the tiebreak of her 7-6 (2) 7-5 win.
Mirra Andreeva then dominated Elina Svitolina 6-4 and 6-0 in her opening match, moving to the top of Group 2. Tracy Austin told Tennis Channel, "But what I love watching about Andreeva is that she has so many options."
Qualification scenarios and stakes
The WTA Finals in Indian Wells, California brings together eight singles players, divided into two groups of four, with each player facing the other three in her group once. The WTA awards 200 ranking points for each win in this phase, and the top two in each group qualify for the semifinals scheduled for November 14.
Elina Svitolina can still qualify for the last four in California, but she will not know what she needs to do until after Aryna Sabalenka's match against Andreeva. Elina Svitolina told Sky Sports, "I tried to direct my anger towards the ball and I found my game in the end," as her Group 2 position remained tied to the outcomes of the remaining round-robin matches.