Iga Swiatek one win away from regaining World No. 1 ranking after Aryna Sabalenka defeat in WTA Finals SF

Iga Swiatek couldn't have dreamed of a better performance at the 2023 WTA Finals. Her impressive run has now not only positioned her for a chance to win her first title at the year-ending tournament but has also given her an opportunity to reclaim her World No. 1 ranking.

Swiatek lost the top spot to Aryna Sabalenka after the Belarusian's exploits at the US Open in September, where she finished as the runner-up. Since then, the duo have been battling it out to see who will finish the year as the top-ranked player.

The golden opportunity came last week in the semifinals of the WTA Finals when Swiatek and Sabalenka met for the ninth time on the WTA tour. The match was delayed by rain and rescheduled for a day later (November 5), with the Pole temporarily deflating her opponent's hopes of retaining her World No. 1 rank by thumping her 6-3, 6-2.

Iga Swiatek will now face American Jessica Pegula in the final on November 6 for a chance to reclaim the top spot on the WTA ladder. If she cannot win the title, Sabalenka will keep her ranking.

Meanwhile, Pegula is coming on the back of a 6-2, 6-1 semifinal victory over compatriot Coco Gauff and will not make the journey easy for the four-time Grand Slam champion.

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Iga Swiatek - "I am happy that I could really show you guys my game"

Iga Swiatek pictured at the 2023 WTA Finals

During her on-court interview, Iga Swiatek expressed her joy at finally being able to show her game. She also called her match against Aryna Sabalenka 'the toughest and nicest match' she has played in the tournament in Cancun, Mexico, so far.

"I am very happy, you know. I think that was the toughest and also the nicest match that I played here, so I am happy that I could really show you guys my game," she said.

The Pole then admitted that despite the 6-3, 6-2 score, the match was far from being an easy straight-set win, with every game and point being fiercely contested.

"It hasn't been easy, you know, during the whole week so I am happy that and today I could really get even better and for sure it was tough even though the score says like what 6-3, 6-2. Every game was important, every point was important, every game was tight, so I am really happy," Iga Swiatek said.