Svitolina Reaches Auckland Final to Face Wang Xinju
The top seed returns to the championship match following a straight-sets semifinal, with Wang arriving from a three-set test.
Overview
- Elina Svitolina defeated Iva Jovic 7-6 (5), 6-2 in the Auckland semifinal on Saturday.
- Seventh-seeded Wang Xinju overcame fourth seed Alexandra Eala 5-7, 7-5, 6-4 to reach Sunday’s final.
- Svitolina, ranked No. 13, previously made the Auckland final in 2024 when she lost to Coco Gauff.
- After a nearly three-hour quarterfinal against Sonay Kartal, Svitolina said finishing the semi in two sets helps conserve energy for the final.
- Jovic led 3-0 early before Svitolina rallied, while Gael Monfils has supported her this week and starts the men’s event in Auckland on Monday.