Aryna Sabalenka continued her dominant form at the WTA Finals, securing a semifinal spot with a hard-fought 6-3, 7-5 victory over Italy’s Jasmine Paolini on Monday in Riyadh. This win marked Sabalenka’s second straight triumph in the group stage, propelling her to the top of the Purple Group.
The match started with a bang as Sabalenka stormed to a 4-0 lead in the opening set, showcasing her powerful serve and groundstrokes. Paolini, despite her best efforts, couldn’t match the top-ranked Belarusian’s pace and consistency. Sabalenka wrapped up the first set in just 36 minutes, setting the tone for what seemed to be a straightforward victory.
However, the second set was a different story. Paolini dug deep, breaking back to level at 4-4 and even earning two set points. But Sabalenka, known for her resilience, fended off the challenge, winning three consecutive games to close out the match.
“I’m really proud of how I stayed focused, especially in the tough moments,” Sabalenka said. “I knew I had to fight for every point because Jasmine is a tough opponent.”
This victory marks Sabalenka’s 22nd win in her last 23 matches, a streak that includes titles at the US Open, Cincinnati Open, and the Dongfeng Voyah Wuhan Open. Her current form has her on the brink of securing the year-end World No.1 ranking, a career milestone she can achieve with another round-robin win.
Next up, Sabalenka will face Elena Rybakina in the final group match. Although Rybakina has already been eliminated, Sabalenka remains focused. “I’m chasing the No.1 ranking,” she said. “Every point matters, and I’m here to give it my all.”
In the group’s other match, Zheng Qinwen defeated Rybakina in a three-set thriller. Zheng and Paolini, both at 1-1 in the group, will face off in a do-or-die clash for a semifinal berth.
With Sabalenka in stellar form, the WTA Finals are shaping up for an exciting finish as the world’s best battle for year-end glory.
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