Xinyu Wang Aims for First WTA Title Against Svitolina in ASB Classic Final

Chinese tennis player Xinyu Wang is set to compete for her first WTA Tour title at the ASB Classic final on March 10, 2024, in Auckland, New Zealand. Wang secured her spot in the final after a grueling semifinal match against young Filipino sensation Alexandra Eala, which lasted two hours and 48 minutes. The seventh-seeded Wang triumphed in a thrilling contest, winning 5-7, 7-5, 6-4, marking the longest match of the tournament so far.

Wang now faces top seed Elina Svitolina, who is a strong favorite heading into the final. Svitolina, currently ranked world No 13, advanced to the final after defeating American third seed Iva Jovic in a more straightforward semifinal, winning 7-6, 6-2 in just 1 hour and 34 minutes. Svitolina reached the final of the ASB Classic two years ago and will be eager to secure her 19th tour title.

In her semifinal match, Wang began with a commanding lead, racing to a 5-1 advantage in the first set. However, Eala mounted an impressive comeback, taking six consecutive games to clinch the set. The second set saw similar momentum swings, with both players exchanging breaks before Wang ultimately prevailed to force a deciding set.

“It was a crazy battle from the start to the end, for sure,” Wang said in a post-match interview with Sky Sport. “She’s an absolute fighter, and to be honest, I feel more pressure when I’m 5-0 [4-0] up than when we were 0-0. I’m just really happy that I got through this one today and into my first-ever final.”

Although this is Wang’s second final appearance at the WTA level, she is keenly aware of the challenge ahead. In their only previous encounter, Svitolina defeated Wang in the round of 16 at Wimbledon in 2024. With her semifinal victory, Wang achieved only her second win in ten attempts at this stage in her career.

As she prepares for the final, Wang will need to recover quickly from her intense semifinal match. With a forecast high of 29 degrees Celsius in Auckland, fatigue could play a significant role in the outcome.

Wang’s performance against Eala demonstrated her resilience and power, as she recorded 11 aces compared to Eala’s two. Despite committing 55 unforced errors to Eala’s 48, Wang’s 53 winners, many stemming from her powerful forehand, proved decisive.

In Svitolina’s match against Jovic, the two players exhibited their skills in a closely contested first set, which included six breaks of serve in the opening ten games. Svitolina ultimately gained control in the tiebreak and maintained her momentum to secure the second set.

With both players showcasing their abilities throughout the tournament, the final promises to be an exciting matchup. Wang, driven by the chance to claim her first title, will go all out against Svitolina, who is determined to add another trophy to her impressive collection. As the final approaches, fans eagerly anticipate a thrilling showdown on the court.