Elina Svitolina produced a commanding performance against Linda Noskova to reach the final of the WTA Finals in California on Saturday, needing just 65 minutes to secure a 6-2, 6-1 victory.
The Ukrainian barely allowed Noskova to settle into the contest, controlling the rallies and converting her opportunities to complete a comfortable straight-sets win. It was Svitolina’s second victory over the Czech player in five meetings.
The result sent Svitolina into the third WTA Finals championship match of her career and extended her remarkable run at the season-ending tournament. She had earlier defeated Karolina Muchova and Aryna Sabalenka before overcoming Noskova in the semifinal.
Svitolina will face 19-year-old Mirra Andreeva in the final, setting up a rematch after the Russian defeated her earlier in the tournament. Andreeva, the 2026 French Open champion, booked her place in the title clash by beating Jessica Pegula 6-3, 6-4.
Svitolina acknowledged that Andreeva had played the better match in their previous meeting but said she would look to make tactical adjustments ahead of the final.
The 32-year-old’s run has also added several milestones to her season. She became the oldest player to reach the WTA Finals final since Venus Williams in 2017 and only the fourth player to achieve the feat after turning 32, joining Martina Navratilova, Serena Williams and Venus Williams.
Svitolina has also become the 14th player to reach at least three WTA Finals championship matches. Among those players, she and Gabriela Sabatini are the only ones who never occupied the world No. 1 ranking.
The Ukrainian’s semifinal win also marked her 11th victory over a Top-10 opponent this season, matching her career-best tally from 2017. Regardless of the outcome in the final, she is set to finish 2026 with more wins against Top-10 players than any other player on the women’s tour.
Svitolina will now look to cap her season with the biggest title of her campaign when she meets Andreeva in the WTA Finals championship match.
