FORT WORTH, Texas – The WTA Finals semifinals have been closed, with No. 1 Swiatek taking on seventh-placed Sabalenka and fifth-ranked Sakkari taking on sixth-ranked Garcia.
[1] Swiatek vs [7] Sabalenka
World No. 1 Swiatek continues his magical performance this season. She has won 14 of her last 15 tournaments, winning the U.S. Open and San Diego Open, bringing her tally to eight titles on tour. When Swiatek faced Sabalenka in the semifinals, there were no secrets. It will be their fifth meeting of the season, with Swiatek winning all four of the year's games. It will also be their second meeting in the WTA Finals. Last year in Guadalajara, Sabalenka beat Swiatek in three difficult sets.
Despite the one-sided head-to-head record, Swiatek is fully aware of Sabalenka's threat. The last time they met was in the semifinals of the US Open, where Swiatek won 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 after being broken in the third set. With Sakkari's help, Sabalenka reached the WTA Finals knockout stage for the first time. The No. 7 seed went 2-1 in the group, defeating No. 2 Abdul-Jago and No. 3 Pegula. But in her last group match, she needed Sakkari to grab a set against Abdul-Jabbar to qualify, and she was pleased that Sakkari won over the Tunisian in straight sets.
[5] Sakkari vs [6] Garcia
Fifth-ranked Sakkari has reached the WTA 1000 finals twice this season and is poised to end her rollercoaster form in 2022 with a top 5 finish in the best year-end rankings of her career. She is two wins away from the biggest title of her career. So, when she was reminded that she almost chose to end the season after being in San Diego, she could only smile reluctantly. "I just told Tom (Hill, her coach) after losing a game in San Diego, we decided," Sakkari said. "I can't do that anymore. But he said you take your time, we'll make a decision tomorrow morning. Thank God I went to Guadalajara and everything will be different. ”
After making difficult decisions, Sakkari had a 7-1 record, including reaching the final in Guadalajara. This is her second WTA Finals, and Sakkari has reached the semifinals for two consecutive seasons. Sakkari is the most semi-final player in the last two seasons, tied with Swiatek for 15. Throughout the week, Sakkari played tennis actively. Now she faces the tricky task of fending off the offensive firepower of Cincinnati champion Garcia.
Garcia defeated No. 8 seed Casatkina 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (5) to reach the WTA Finals knockout for the second time. The 29-year-old Frenchwoman, the only player to win the title at all three venues this season, also reached her second WTA Finals knockout round. Like Sakkari, she reached the semifinals in her first two matches. Garcia went unbeaten against Sakkari, earning their only meeting of the season when he won the title in Cincinnati.