Elina Svitolina to face Sloane Stephens in final of BNP Paribas WTA Finals

Sloane Stephens to face Elina Svitolina in final of BNP Paribas WTA Finals after battling back against Karolina Pliskova

  • Sloan Stephens comes back from set down to beat Karolina Pliskova 0-6, 6-4, 6-1
  • Elina Svitolina reaches the biggest final of her career at BNP Paribas WTA Finals
  • Svitolina, the No 6, seed wore down Kiki Bertens to secure a 7-5, 6-7 (5), 6-4 win 

Sloane Stephens battled back from dropping the first set to love to reach the finals of the BNP Paribas WTA Finals.

The sixth-seeded American will meet Elina Svitolina in the final after beating Karolina Pliskova 0-6, 6-4, 6-1 in Singapore.

The Czech was quickly into her stride, coasting through the opening set in 31 minutes, and continued her dominance by taking the first two games of the second.

Sloane Stephens recovered from a first-set bagel to win in three sets and reach the final

Stephens of the US shakes hands with Czech Republic's Karolina Pliskova after winning the tie

Stephens of the US shakes hands with Czech Republic’s Karolina Pliskova after winning the tie

But then the fightback started as Stephens reeled off the next three games before Pliskova broke back to level at 3-3.

Stephens broke back immediately and served out to take the set 6-4 and level the match.

The deciding set started with a pair of breaks but then Stephens took over, winning the next five games to secure victory in two hours and 27 minutes. 

Stephens failed to win a single game in the first set but came roaring back for a victory

Stephens failed to win a single game in the first set but came roaring back for a victory

Meanwhile, Svitolina reached the biggest final of her career as she overcame Kiki Bertens in three sets to secure a place in the final of the BNP Paribas WTA Finals.

The No 6 seed wore down Bertens to advance with a 7-5, 6-7 (5), 6-4 victory in two hours and 38 minutes in Singapore.

Svitolina broke in the fourth game to take a 3-1 lead, but Bertens immediately broke back before the Ukrainian secured the opening set 7-5 on her first set point.

Bertens battled back as she broke in the opening game of the second set but Svitolina took the tenth game to make it 5-5 before taking the set into a tie-break and Bertens levelled the match.

Elina Svitolina of the Ukraine celebrates making the final of the 2018 WTA Finals on Saturday

Elina Svitolina of the Ukraine celebrates making the final of the 2018 WTA Finals on Saturday

The pair shared breaks to start the third set before Svitolina secured the decisive break at 2-1 and served out to take the longest match of the tournament.

‘It was such a tough battle today and I’m very happy I could win in the end. It means a lot to me,’ Svitolina said on court after the match.

‘I think physically, in the end, it was just about running and chasing every ball down. I think the level was very tough and we were both playing very good tennis. I’m very pleased that I could stay in the match and close it.’

Svitolina of the Ukraine takes a selfie with fans after her match with Kiki Bertens

Svitolina of the Ukraine takes a selfie with fans after her match with Kiki Bertens

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk