ANOTHER WTA Finals semi-finalist has been determined, with seventh seed Spaniard Paula Badosa confirmed as the player joining Anett Kontaveit in the final four. The pair will have to wait on results to find out who they are playing, but for Badosa – who defeated Maria Sakkari in two tight sets today – she will be joined by either the Greek talent or Aryna Sabalenka who came from behind to defeat Iga Swiatek and knock the Polish Grand Slam winner out of title contention.

Maria Sakkari vs. Paula Badosa

The remarkable rising Spaniard continued her great late season form to book a semi-finals spot at the WTA Finals. Badosa fought past fourth seed Sakkari in just over two hours of action to remain undefeated in the tournament and defy her seventh seed status. Badosa won 7-6 6-4, and whilst it was not the dominating win she had against Sabalenka on day two, it was enough for her to ensure safe passage into the knockout stage.

From the get-go it was clear that Badosa is more than happy to match it with powerful opponents, but has a superior serve to most, producing four aces and winning 76.9 per cent of her first serve points off a 65 per cent clip. Sakkari did not serve an ace, and instead produced three double faults and only won 50 per cent of her first serve points off a 56 per cent clip, but battled as she always did to force it into a tiebreaker. She broke from her only break point chance, while Badosa only broke once herself. That culminated in a tiebreaker, which went down to the wire before the Spaniard won 7-4.

Sakkari remained consistent on serve with a lower percentage – only 52.2 per cent success off her first serve – but lifted her overall second serve win rate, and held firm time and time again against Badosa. Despite being broken twice, the Greek talent saved seven break points, and broke once from four chances on Badosa’s serve. On the other hand, Badosa won 65.5 per cent of her first serve points off a 70.7 per cent clip, and delivered six aces – to make it 10 for the match. That resulted in her winning 7-6 6-4 in two hours and four minutes, securing a semi-finals spot.

“I think it was quite a tough match,” Badosa said post-match. “I served well, I fight for every point. I knew it was going to be a battle against Maria.

“I think I stayed aggressive. I was moving well. “When you win these kind of matches, I think you have to do a little bit of everything well. “I think the key was a little bit in the important moments, I was quite brave and I played very good. 

“I think I [got] my first top 10 win, I don’t know, maybe four months ago. Everything was very new for me. “I needed experience. I needed to pass through all that. I think when I got the experience, all of those things, it went well. “I think I’m quite competitive. I think I needed a little bit to adjust myself, to be here and play these kind of matches, to learn.”

Aryna Sabalenka vs. Iga Swiatek

In a remarkable come-from-behind win, Belarusian top seed Sabalenka kept her hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals alive by defeating Swiatek. Bouncing back from a disappointing loss to Badosa in the first match, the world number two looked to be in trouble early, but found her groove and ended up holding out for the three set win, 2-6 6-2 7-5 in two hours and 18 minutes.

The first set could not have gone much worse for Sabalenka after the opening few games, as she led 2-1 at one stage, but then lost five consecutive games to drop the set 6-2. She served at a woeful 41.7 per cent, winning just 11 points on serve, and producing four doubles faults for one ace. Combined with the fact she won just six points on return, and could not create a break point opportunity, it was always looking good for her young Polish opponent. Swiatek won 85.7 per cent of her first serve points off a 63.6 per cent clip, breaking twice from her two chances, and controlling the match early.

The second set was a role reversal, with the powerful Belarusian serving three aces for three double faults, and winning a whopping 16 or 18 points off her first serve. She did it at a higher 62.1 per cent clip, also saving the three break points this time, and breaking twice from four opportunities herself. Whilst she still struggled off her second serve (27.3 per cent success), Swiatek dropped away to win 64.7 per cent off her first serve, and 33.3 per cent off her second. In the end, Sabalenka levelled the match with a 6-2 set herself.

Fittingly, both players went toe-for-toe throughout the match with a break each in the first 10 games of the deciding set. Sabalenka was ruthless with four aces but a shocking nine double faults to really control the match off her own racquet. She served at a lower 48.7 per cent clip, but won a dominant 78.98 per cent when it did go in, and broke even off her second serve. Swiatek won 60 per cent of her first serve points and 58.8 per cent of her second, but dropped the costly eleventh game of the third set, and Sabalenka served out the final game to love, to secure the win. The result sets up a virtual elimination final against Sakkari next week, with the winner advancing to the semi-finals.

WTA FINALS DAY 4 RESULTS:

[7] Paula Badosa (ESP) defeated [4] Maria Sakkari (GRE) 7-6 6-4
[1] Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) defeated [5] Iga Swiatek (POL) 2-6 6-2 7-5

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