Sabalenka still hopeful of reaching WTA Finals last four despite defeat by Andreeva

Aryna Sabalenka said she is still hopeful of reaching the WTA Finals ​semi-finals despite losing 11 games in a row ‌in a 6-4 6-0 defeat by 19-year-old Mirra Andreeva on Wednesday.

The world number two squandered a 4-1 lead in ​the opening set before French Open champion Andreeva ​ran the table to clinch the match ⁠and seal top spot in Group 2.

"She definitely ​played great tennis," Sabalenka told reporters. "The good thing is ​that I still have a chance to qualify. The bad thing, that I'll need some time to recover after ​I don't even know how many games in ​a row I lost."

Sabalenka, 28, made the brighter start and broke ‌Andreeva ⁠in the fourth game, but the teenager quickly shifted the momentum and exploited the Belarusian's errors.

"She's not easy to play, in any surface. It's not ​only Indian ​Wells," added ⁠Sabalenka. "She's moving well, spinning the ball quite high, especially in this condition."

Sabalenka said ​she was determined to respond in ​her final ⁠group match against Elina Svitolina, who kept her own semi-final hopes alive with a 3-6 6-2 6-2 ⁠win ​over Karolina Muchova.

"Although the things ​didn't go well today, I'm still super motivated," added Sabalenka.