Elina Svitolina (Photo: REUTERS/Daniel Cole)

Ukrainian number one Elina Svitolina suffered a 4–6, 0–6 defeat to Mirra Andreeva in her opening match at the 2026 WTA Finals, failing to convert six break points on Nov. 9.

Both players traded steady service holds throughout the early stages of the opening set. At 2–2, Andreeva secured the critical break of serve and protected the advantage through to the finish line, closing out the set 6–4.

Svitolina was unable to regain momentum following the set break. The Ukrainian dropped her serve in the opening game of the second set, and while she created an immediate opportunity to level proceedings, she could not convert the break point. Andreeva capitalized on the escape, seizing total control of the baseline exchanges to reel off seven consecutive games and seal the shutout second set 6–0.

The match wrapped up in just over an hour. Svitolina was hindered primarily by missed opportunities on return, converting none of the six break points she generated. The Ukrainian committed five double faults — one fewer than Andreeva's six — but won only 45 total points against Andreeva's 68.

In the second match of the group, Aryna Sabalenka defeated Czechia's Karolína Muchová 7–6 (7–2), 7–5.

Svitolina faces Muchová on Nov. 11, before concluding her round-robin schedule against Sabalenka on Nov. 13.

Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk also suffered an opening-round setback, falling to Linda Nosková. Despite the defeat, Kostyuk expressed optimism regarding her physical conditioning, noting that she was able to compete without wrist pain for the first time in months.