Aryna Sabalenka played "unbelievable tennis" to shock world No 1 Iga Swiatek 6-2, 2-6, 6-1 on Sunday to reach the WTA Finals final, where she will meet Caroline Garcia after the Frenchwoman cruised past Maria Sakkari in Fort Worth, Texas.
Swiatek had not dropped a set at the season-ending tournament but was subdued by the powerful forehand of the Belarusian, who sealed the massive upset with one of her 12 aces before pumping her fist in triumph. "The only thing I had in my mind was just make her work.
And that's it," Sabalenka said. "It's only because of that I was able to show unbelievable tennis tonight and get this win." After trading breaks early in the first set, Sabalenka, who lost to the Pole in the US Open semi-finals in September, easily converted a couple of chances as Swiatek stumbled with a series of uncharacteristic mistakes.
Swiatek returned with new resolve in the second set, sweeping the first four games with the momentum seemingly on her side. But world No 7 Sabalenka bounced back in the third set, dropping only two of her first-serve points without facing a break point to claim her third career win over a number one opponent. "I just said that I have to stay aggressive and I have to stay in the moment, that's it," she said.