Xinyu Wang Aims for First WTA Title Against Elina Svitolina

Chinese tennis player Xinyu Wang will compete for her first WTA Tour title at the ASB Classic final in Auckland, New Zealand, on March 3, 2024. Wang earned her spot in the final after a grueling semifinal match against Alexandra Eala of the Philippines, where she prevailed in a thrilling encounter that lasted two hours and 48 minutes. The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, ending with a scoreline of 5-7, 7-5, 6-4.

Wang, seeded seventh and ranked No. 57 in the world, faced a significant challenge as she battled back from a first-set deficit and had to fend off a match point in the second set. “It was a crazy battle from the start to the end, for sure,” said the relieved 24-year-old. “She’s an absolute fighter, and to be honest, I feel more pressure when I’m 5-0 up than when we were 0-0. I’m just really happy that I got through this one today and through to my first-ever final.”

In the final, Wang will face the tournament’s top seed, Elina Svitolina, who secured her place with a 7-6, 6-2 victory over third-seeded Iva Jovic in the other semifinal. Svitolina, currently ranked No. 13, is a seasoned player who was a runner-up in this tournament two years ago, making her the favorite going into the final.

Wang’s path to the final has been marked by both challenge and resilience. Her semifinal victory was particularly notable as she served 11 aces—a significant achievement against Eala, a left-handed player trained at the Rafael Nadal Academy. Throughout the match, Wang displayed her powerful forehand and a total of 53 winners, despite also committing 55 unforced errors.

The semifinal match began with Wang racing to a commanding 5-1 lead in the first set. However, Eala mounted an impressive comeback, winning six consecutive games to take the set. In the second set, Wang quickly broke Eala’s serve but faced another tough fight as Eala threatened to take control. Nevertheless, Wang managed to level the match, showcasing her determination and skill.

Returning to the court for the third set after medical treatment, Wang again broke Eala’s serve. Eala fought back, but Wang ultimately secured the victory, marking her second appearance in a WTA final, following her previous final in Berlin in June 2023.

As the final approaches, Wang’s physical condition will be under scrutiny given the long semifinal match and predicted temperatures of 29 degrees Celsius in Auckland. If she can recover adequately, she will pose a significant threat to Svitolina, who will need to maintain her focus to secure her 19th career title.

The stage is set for an exciting final, with both players eager for victory and the chance to add a WTA title to their careers.