Google News Strasbourg International: Elina Svitolina scores emphatic win to enter title round!
by ABBEY JOHNSON
Elina Svitolina reached the final of a WTA tournament for the first time in two years, at the Strasbourg Open. The Ukrainian overcame the loss of the opening set to beat Clara Burel 4-6, 7-5, 6-3. Svitolina needed two hours and 20 minutes for the win.
Svitolina won 107 points for the match to the Frenchwoman’s 98. She saved 10 of 16 break points she faced while converting eight of 16 break points on Burel’s serve. The 28-year-old’s making a return to the final of the French tournament.
In 2020, she won the title in Strasbourg. That year, Svitolina defeated Elena Rybakina to win her first title in the French city.
Strasbourg International: Anna Blinkova stays steady
Anna Blinkova will be Svitolina’s opponent in the final.
The world no. 66 upset seventh seed Lauren Davis in their semi-final match-up. Blinkova won 6-2, 6-2 in 74 minutes. Blinkova won 74% of her first-serve points and 58% points on return on the American’s second serve. She converted five of six break points that came her way and lost her serve once across the match.
The Strasbourg International final will be the second final of Anna Blinkova’s final after the Transylvania Open final in 2022. Meanwhile, Elina Svitolina’s playing a first final since she played (and won) the Chicago Open finale in 2021.