ASB Classic final: Elina Svitolina beats Xinyu Wang in straight sets for Auckland title

Elina Svitolina won the women's ASB Classic. Photo / Photosport

Elina Svitolina has completed her mission.

The Ukrainian is the new queen of the ASB Classic – and this one is going to feel pretty sweet.

On one of the hottest days in tournament history – with the Mercury hovering near 30C - Svitolina prevailed 6-3 7-6 (6) over seventh seed Xinyu Wang in 1h 42m on Sunday evening.

It was the perfect end to her comeback, after being off the WTA tour since last September, and cements her connection to this city.

Back in 2024, Svitolina came here for the first time and was an instant hit. She immediately developed an affinity with the crowd – in rollicking wins over Caroline Wozniacki and Emma Raducanu – and went all the way to the final, before she was edged in three sets by American star Coco Gauff.

Svitolina was back this year – after missing 2025 – the edition when husband Gael Monfils managed his unlikely triumph in the men’s event.

Now her name is also on an Auckland trophy, to complete a special family double.

The triumph also vindicates the decision to cut her 2025 season short – as she was feeling burnt out – and reset for this year.

It’s the 19th singles title of her storied career and the third since she became a mother.

The world No 13 was the overwhelming favourite on Sunday, mainly because of her experience. She was playing her 23rd career WTA final and had only dropped four deciders, while she had never lost a final as top seed.

In contrast, the 24-year Wang was in unknown territory – just her second WTA final - and the Chinese was coming off her gruelling three-hour semifinal win over Alexandra Eala on Saturday.

The first set went to script. Svitolina was steady and consistent, while Wang had flashes of brilliance mixed with loose play. The world No 13 broke for 4-2 and the bracket never looked in doubt from there, with Svitolina wrapping it up in 33 minutes.

After the twists and turns of Saturday, it was an anti-climax, with corporate box residents yet to savour their main course.

Thankfully, the second set was much more substantial. Wang seemed to shake off her nerves and started producing the tennis that has seen her make such an impression this week. There were heavy serves, accurate forehands and the trademark disguised drop shots.

For most of the set, Svitolina was under slightly more pressure on serve – forced to save three break points – though it was tight. A tiebreak seemed inevitable and it produced the best tennis of the match.

Wang sprung to an early 3-0 lead – with a minibreak – before Svitolina got back to 3-3. The European then had the advantage, as Wang looked tentative and brought up a match point at 6-5. But – for the second time in two days – Wang managed to save it, with a gutsy forehand winner, as chants from the Chinese support rang around the arena

However, her fate couldn’t be postponed for long. As the wind picked up at the most unfortunate time, a shanked backhand from Wang gave Svitolina her second championship point.

As the anticipation grew inside the stadium, Svitolina took her time to select the right ball, then paused – with a ‘sorry’ – as her ball toss was slightly wrong. When it came, the serve was powerful and solid, aimed towards the body and Wang’s return couldn’t beat the net, as Svitolina raised her arms in triumph.

All the action from the final of the women’s ASB Classic.

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