\u201cToday I tried to really stick to my plan and be focused on every point.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sunday\u2019s final will be Svitolina\u2019s second on the courts of Auckland, after finishing runner-up to Coco Gauff in three sets in the 2024 decider. <\/p>\n
That was an experience Svitolina said she learnt from and was hopeful that experience would benefit her against Wang. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a really painful one, because I won the first set…hopefully it\u2019s going to give me this push tomorrow.\u201d <\/p>\n
Svitolina hasn\u2019t been afraid to play from behind in this tournament and showed that again in the first set. <\/p>\n
Jovic broke the Ukrainian immediately \u2013 twice \u2013 to hold a 3-0 lead in the first three games. Svitolina found her way into the match with a convincing break of her own before holding serve to close in a 3-2; winning eight-straight points to win both games to love. <\/p>\n
Iva Jovic in action during her semi-final against Elina Svitolina. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
The Ukrainian eventually levelled at 4-4, before back-to-back broken games and a hold of serve each saw her in her third-straight tiebreak after two to close out her quarter-final escape. <\/p>\n
The top seed looked dominant early in the tiebreak to quickly earn set points. While the 18-year-old American fought back to save five set points, Svitolina eventually wrapped it up. <\/p>\n
\u201cVery happy with the fighting spirit that I\u2019ve been showing throughout the tournament. I feel like I\u2019ve been missing it a little bit at the end of the last year and now I feel refreshed. <\/p>\n
\u201cI feel now again ready to fight, again ready to face these difficult moments because sometimes players can play really well, execute very well, but it\u2019s all about staying in the match and trying to get better within the match.\u201d <\/p>\n
The second set saw Svitolina in imposing form after both players began the set with a hold of serve. The Ukrainian then took the next four games, holding Jovic to just six points across them, before closing out the match with a 6-2 second set.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think I executed my game plan better than in the first set That\u2019s why I think I played better and the scoreline is easier a little bit,\u201d Svitolina said. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut I think also for her it was difficult to keep going. I think she\u2019s still very, very young, and I\u2019m sure she\u2019s going to, with a couple of years\u2019 time, she will perform unbelievable and we\u2019re going to see many more titles from her [in the] coming years.\u201d <\/p>\n