Elina Svitolina is back in a WTA semifinal for the first time in three months after a comeback win over Ekaterina Alexandrova at Wta Toronto. Svitolina dropped the first set before taking control of the match, advancing 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 in 1 hour and 34 minutes.
The result sends Svitolina into the semifinal against Iga Swiatek, who had already beaten Marta Kostyuk in the round of 16. It also ends Svitolina's wait for another deep run after she last reached a WTA semifinal in May in Rome, where she went on to win the title.
How Svitolina turned the match around
Alexandrova took the opening set 6-3, but Svitolina responded immediately and did not allow the match to drift. She rolled through the second set 6-0 and then closed out the decider 6-3 to complete the comeback.
The turnaround was especially notable because Svitolina was efficient on the key points. She saved six of eight break points and finished the match by winning 58% of the total points. Alexandrova was limited to three break points, but Svitolina handled the pressure well enough to take control after the early setback.
What it means next
For Svitolina, this is more than just another win. It is her seventh semifinal and a clear sign that her level is trending up again after a three-month gap without reaching the final four at a WTA tournament.
The next step is even tougher. Swiatek is waiting in the semifinal, and that matchup will give Svitolina another chance to test herself against one of the tournament's top players. For now, though, the Ukrainian has already accomplished the key task at Wta Toronto: she is back in the semifinals.
