Fourth seed Amanda Anisimova of the United States came from behind to beat second seed Iga Swiatek of Poland 6-7 (3), 6-4, 6-2 here on Wednesday, advancing to the semifinals of the WTA Finals.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan having already secured a semifinal spot as winner of the Serena Williams group, Anisimova and Swiatek, both with one win and one loss before the match, faced off in a decisive showdown for the remaining semifinal berth.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The two had met twice earlier this year, as Swiatek swept 12 straight games to dominate the Wimbledon final, while Anisimova got her revenge in the U.S. Open quarterfinals.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In the opening set, both players held serve tightly. Although Anisimova earned four break points, Swiatek saved them all and prevailed 7-6 (3) in a tiebreak after the first 12 games went on serve, reports Xinhua.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The second set remained highly competitive. Anisimova saved three break points in the third game to hold serve, and the two traded holds until 5-4. In Swiatek's fifth service game, the American seized her chance for a crucial late break, winning the set 6-4 to level the match.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In the decider, Anisimova continued to apply pressure on Swiatek's serve.The Pole saved the first service game, but double-faulted on break point in her next game. Leading 5-2, Anisimova broke again to close out the match 6-2 and complete the comeback victory.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The second set remained highly competitive. Anisimova saved three break points in the third game to hold serve, and the two traded holds until 5-4. In Swiatek's fifth service game, the American seized her chance for a crucial late break, winning the set 6-4 to level the match.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In the group's other match on Wednesday, in-form Rybakina continued her impressive run, defeating Russia's Ekaterina Alexandrova, who entered as an alternate, 6-4, 6-4 to claim her third consecutive group-stage victory. Rybakina's original opponent, America's Madison Keys, had withdrawn before the match due to illness.<\/p>\r\n\r\n