Andreeva reaches WTA Finals semis, Svitolina fights back to beat Muchova

INDIAN WELLS, California: World number three Mirra Andreeva booked her place in the semifinals of the WTA Finals with a 6-4 6-0 win over Aryna Sabalenka on Wednesday, while Elina Svitolina battled back to beat Karolina Muchova and keep her hopes alive.

Andreeva, the 19-year-old French Open champion, won her second straight Group 2 match and advanced as group winner after Svitolina earlier defeated Muchova 3-6 6-2 6-2.

The result eliminated Muchova from semifinal contention, ⁠while Svitolina will ⁠face Sabalenka in Friday’s final group match with the remaining place in the last four at stake.

Sabalenka, the world number two and US Open runner-up, made the stronger start and broke Andreeva in the fourth game of ⁠a closely fought opening set to move 3-1 ahead.