Elina Svitolina claimed her 19th career title at the ASB Classic in Auckland on Sunday, overcoming Xinyu Wang, the tournament’s No. 7 seed, with a score of 6-3, 7-6(6) in a competitive match lasting an hour and 42 minutes. This victory marks a significant turning point for Svitolina, who had faced a challenging end to her 2025 season, characterized by four successive defeats and an injury that interrupted her campaign after the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.
Entering the tournament as the top seed, Svitolina demonstrated remarkable resilience by transforming her losing streak into a five-match winning run to commence the new season. Among her victories were challenging matches against former Top 30 player Katie Boulter and Poland’s Iva Jovic, with the latter set to rise in the rankings following their meeting in the semifinals.
Post-match, Svitolina expressed her elation at securing the title, acknowledging the difficult season she had endured. “It definitely feels amazing to win another title, especially after a not very pleasant end of the year for me. That break really helped me to regroup and come back with new energy,” she stated. She emphasized the importance of accumulating tough matches as preparation for the season ahead.
Wang, the 24-year-old ranked No. 57 globally, put up a commendable fight against Svitolina. The match saw a slow start from the Ukrainian, who was still shaking off the rust after her lengthy hiatus. Wang capitalized on early nerves from the top seed, but ultimately, Svitolina’s experience shone through. The first set went Svitolina’s way with a break of serve, and despite Wang’s efforts to turn the tables in the second set, the match progressed to a tiebreak after they each held serve.
In the pivotal tiebreak, Svitolina showcased her mental fortitude by rallying from a 0/3 deficit, successfully converting her chances to secure victory. “Every time I had a break point or found myself ahead, she started serving unbelievably,” Wang admitted, acknowledging the challenge posed by Svitolina’s serves.
Despite the setback in the final, Wang can take pride in the boost to her ranking, looking to break back into the Top 50 soon. Reflecting on her experience in the match, she shared, “Every time I play her, it reminds me of how much I can still improve.”
With this latest success, Svitolina is projected to move up to No. 12 in the WTA rankings, as she aims for a return to the Top 10. The 250 points gained from her title in Auckland will be valuable, especially with quarter-final points to defend at the upcoming Australian Open, where she has previously advanced to the last eight three times.
Besides the singles action, doubles competition saw Hanyu Gou and Kristina Mladenovic, the No. 2 seeds, lifting the trophy after defeating Xu Yifan and Yang Zhaoxuan, the third seeds, in the final with a score of 7-6(7), 6-1. This marked a promising start for the newly formed duo, who focused on gaining match time together throughout the tournament.
Mladenovic, who faced struggles throughout the previous season due to injury, expressed how meaningful the win was to her. “It means the world to me. I truly enjoy every minute spent on the court, whether in practice, singles, or doubles,” she noted. Gou, aiming to maintain momentum into Melbourne, looks forward with anticipation, emphasizing the importance of enjoying the game regardless of outcomes.
As both players now set their sights on the Australian Open, the success in Auckland has undoubtedly provided a boost in confidence, setting a positive tone for the demanding challenges ahead.
