Strasbourg Open: Elina Svitolina comes back to reach first final since becoming a mother

Ukrainian wildcard Elina Svitolina won against Frenchwoman Clara Burel 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 to advance to the final of the Strasbourg Open at the Tennis Club de Strasbourg on Friday.

Svitolina trailed by a set and 4-1 before producing a trademark comeback to record a famous victory. She will play Russian Anna Blinkova for the title on Saturday. It’s her first final since becoming a mother.

SVITOLINA SURVIVES 🙌

Former champion @ElinaSvitolina rallies from a set and 1-4 down to outlast Burel in a thrilling encounter to reach her first final since August of 2021!#IS23 pic.twitter.com/DIMaqae6Cl

— wta (@WTA) May 26, 2023

In the previous rounds of the Strasbourg tournament, the Ukrainian defeated American Louisa Chirico (6-4, 7-6 (1)), New Zealander lucky loser Erin Routliffe (W/O) and Russian Varvara Gracheva, the No 6 seed (6-3, 6-4).

Burel, ranked No 122, beat Romanian Sorana Cirstea, the No 5 seed (7-6 (5), 7-5), Estonian Kaia Kanepi (7-5, 7-6) and American Bernarda Pera, the No 4 seed (6-2, 3-6, 6-4) earlier in the tournament.

Strasbourg WTA 250, other semi-final result (Tennis Club de Strasbourg, clay, EUR 225.480):

• Anna Blinkova beat Lauren Davis (7): 6-2, 6-2