Aryna Sabalenka turned the primary participant to safe a semi-final spot on the WTA Finals as she defeated a resilient Jasmine Paolini in straight units.
Prime seed Sabalenka received 6-3 7-5 in a victory that additionally confirmed Elena Rybakina’s elimination from the season-ending event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Earlier on Monday, Kazakhstan’s Rybakina was crushed 7-6 (7-4) 3-6 6-1 by Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen for her second defeat on the Finals, and required a Paolini victory to maintain her hopes alive.
However a gritty win over the Italian – which noticed her save two set factors – put Sabalenka one step nearer to sealing a maiden WTA Finals title, in addition to the year-end world primary rating.
Ought to she defeat Rybakina in her last Purple Group match on Wednesday, the Belarusian will stay prime of the standings into 2025, out of the attain of Iga Swiatek.
“I am pleased with myself. Not solely myself, my group,” mentioned Sabalenka, 26.
“We had been capable of overcome quite a lot of issues. To have the ability to present such nice tennis and grow to be world primary. It is teamwork, it is not solely me.
“No person sees the behind-the-scenes work. However they do so much for me. I actually respect them for all the pieces they do for me. That is motivation for me to maintain successful on this court docket.”
An early double break of serve noticed Sabalenka – a two-time Grand Slam champion in 2024 – hit the bottom operating towards Paolini, and whereas the 28-year-old fourth seed cancelled out a kind of breaks, she might do little to problem her big-hitting opponent.
The second set, nonetheless, advised a distinct story. Although Sabalenka reeled off 4 consecutive video games after an early break for Paolini, she grew annoyed because the Italian – having fun with a breakthrough season on the WTA Tour – mounted a comeback to go 5-4 forward.
However after saving two set factors, a swap flicked for Sabalenka, instantly breaking Paolini’s serve as soon as extra earlier than wrapping up the match on the first time of asking.
“The second set was fairly tough, I used to be simply attempting to remain aggressive, to point out her that I’m going to struggle for this set it doesn’t matter what,” Sabalenka added.
“I am actually glad to shut this match in straight units.”
The WTA Finals are being held in Saudi Arabia for the primary time – a transfer which has been criticised by some due to the nation’s human rights document.
This 12 months’s event has document prize cash, with the singles champion set to gather about £4m.
Within the Orange Group, Jessica Pegula will face Barbora Krejcikova on Tuesday earlier than defending champion Swiatek performs Coco Gauff.
