Wang Xinyu saved a match point and went on to defeat Alexandra Eala in a tense semifinal on Saturday at the ASB Classic. The Chinese saved a match point with Eala serving at 5-3 in the second set, and later fought off a furious rally from Eala in the final set to close out the 5-7, 7-5, 6-4 victory.
“That was a crazy battle from the start to the end,” Wang said afterwards. “Alex, she is such a fighter. I felt the pressure even when 5-1 up.”
Wang will take out top-seeded Elina Svitolina in the final. The Ukrainian overcame 18-year-old Iva Jovic, 7-6(5), 6-2 to reach the Auckland final for the second time in two appearances (also 2024).
The world No.13 will bid for her 19th title on Sunday. She is 18-4 lifetime in WTA finals.
57th-ranked Wang is into her second career final, after reaching the title round at Berlin last year.