Aryna Sabalenka started her quest to safe the year-end No 1 rating with a thumping 6-3 6-4 victory over China’s Zheng Qinwen in her opening round-robin match on the WTA Finals in Riyadh on Saturday.
Australian and US Open champion Sabalenka, who’s headlining the primary ladies’s skilled tennis event in Saudi Arabia, packed far an excessive amount of energy for Zheng at essential factors of their fourth assembly of 2024 to remain excellent.
“She’s such a great player. We always have great battles,” Sabalenka mentioned.
“She plays aggressive tennis. She forced me to step in and go for it. That’s why I bring my best tennis and I’m super happy with the first win.”
An in depth encounter noticed Sabalenka start to tug forward at 3-2 after changing her second break level of the sport and she or he went on to serve out the set.
The second set was tied at 4-4 when the world No 1 broke Zheng’s serve once more and took benefit to seal the match, incomes her first win within the Purple Group.
Profitable three round-robin matches or reaching the ultimate are a few of the methods Sabalenka can retain prime spot this yr, whereas closest challenger Iga Swiatek must efficiently defend the trophy to have any likelihood of overtaking her.
“It would mean everything to me. It’s one of my dreams,” Sabalenka mentioned about probably successful the title after shedding within the remaining when it was held in Fort Price, Texas in 2022.
“I’ve really worked hard in the last few years. I really hope I’ll be able to hold this beautiful trophy one day.”
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Not realising she had suffered a defeat to Sabalenka, Zheng ready to play one other level moderately than shake fingers with the world No 1
Story of the Tape
French Open and Wimbledon runner-up Jasmine Paolini defeated 2022 All England Membership champion Elena Rybakina within the second contest from the Purple Group 7-6 (7-5) 6-4.
Dealing with Rybakina for the primary time since her French Open quarter-final triumph, Paolini broke first to take a 4-2 lead earlier than the world No 5 clawed her manner again into the sport.
A good opening set boiled all the way down to a tie-breaker, the place Paolini emerged triumphant and she or he remained in management through the second set to earn her first profession win on the WTA Finals.
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Following her victory over Elena Rybakina, Jasmine Paolini believed she performed ‘a extremely strong match’
Story of the Tape
Purple Group standings
What’s occurring on Sunday on the WTA Finals?
World No 2 Swiatek takes on Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova within the Orange Group on Sunday earlier than Coco Gauff meets fellow American Jessica Pegula.
Zverev to face residence favorite Humbert in Paris remaining
Alexander Zverev booked his spot within the Paris Masters remaining by beating Holger Rune in straight units.
The German reached his first hard-court remaining of the season with a 6-3 7-6 (7-4) victory over 2022 champion Rune in a single hour and 47 minutes.
“I feel like I made it a little difficult for myself, but he (Rune) is a champion,” Zverev mentioned. “It’s probably his favourite tournament and favourite court, but I’m happy to be in my second final here. I’m looking forward to it.”
Zverev broke within the fourth recreation of the primary set and saved two break factors within the fifth on the best way to successful the opener.
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Watch highlights of the Paris Masters match between Alexander Zverev and Holger Rune
One break seemed to be sufficient within the second as properly, however the world No 3 didn’t serve out the match when main 5-4.
Nevertheless, he recovered to win the tie-break and attain his second Paris Masters remaining after being crushed by Daniil Medvedev within the 2020 showpiece.
“I feel like I made it a little difficult for myself but he is a champion,” Zverev instructed the ATP web site.
“It is probably his favourite tournament and favourite court, but I am happy to be in my second final here. I am looking forward to it.”
Zverev will face Ugo Humbert within the remaining after the Frenchman beat Karen Khachanov 6-7 (6-8) 6-4 6-3.
Humbert, who knocked out Carlos Alcaraz earlier within the event, grew to become the fifth Frenchman to succeed in the Paris Masters remaining.
“It is amazing to do it in Paris at my favourite tournament. It is a dream,” Humbert mentioned.
“It was a little bit difficult compared to the previous matches. I felt a little more pressure and after the loss of the first set I tried to enjoy the moment and be with the crowd. I did very well and I am super proud.”
Watch Katie Boulter on Sky Sports activities Tennis
British No 1 Katie Boulter performs within the remaining of the Hong Kong Tennis Open towards Diana Shnaider on Sunday from 8pm.
- WTA Finals Riyadh – (November 2-9)
- Belgrade Open – ATP 250 (November 3-9)
- Moselle Open, Metz – ATP 250 (November 3-9)
- Nitto ATP Finals, Turin – (November 10-17)
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