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Svitolina reaches third WTA Finals title match after downing Noshkova

Svitolina celebrates win over Noshkova at Indian Wells
Svitolina celebrates win over Noshkova at Indian WellsGregory Bull / CTK / AP

Former champion Elina Svitolina powered past Wimbledon winner Linda Noskova 6-2, 6-1 on Saturday to book a WTA Finals title clash with Mirra Andreeva at Indian Wells, California.

Ukrainian veteran Svitolina won the WTA Finals in 2018, fell to Ashleigh Barty in the final the following year, but hadn't been back since.

The 32-year-old, ranked sixth in the world, will face a Finals newcomer in 19-year-old French Open champion Andreeva, who beat American Jessica Pegula 6-3, 6-4 in their semi-final.

Andreeva and Svitolina have already met in round-robin play this week, with Andreeva motoring past the Ukrainian 6-4, 6-0 on Monday.

"It's really magical to be back in the finals," Svitolina said. "Just very special for me to have this opportunity (Sunday), to have another battle, another challenge."

The 32-year-old, back in the top 10 this year for the first time since before her daughter, Skai, was born in 2022, will face a rising star in 19-year-old Andreeva.

Svitolina said she did "pretty much everything" well against Noskova, who crumbled with 11 double faults as the Ukrainian surged to victory in just 65 minutes.

The Czech is second on the WTA Tour's aces list behind Elena Rybakina but had just two - the second to save a match point in the penultimate game.

Noskova took the game, but it was a brief reprieve. In the next, Svitolina took the match on her third match point when a Noskova forehand slid wide.

"I think I played really well today, serving good, returning well, too," Svitolina said. "I was able to play aggressive and find the angles."

The round robin format means Svitolina will have the chance, rare in tennis, of avenging her lopsided Monday loss to Andreeva in the same tournament.

"She's in good form, but I feel like I've found my game since I lost the first match against her," Svitolina said. "I will do my homework with my coaches and try to find the key."

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