Aryna Sabalenka. Photo courtesy of Belarus' NOC
MINSK, 3 November (BelTA) – Belarus’ world number one Aryna Sabalenka has done off to a good start at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, BelTA has learned.
In her opening match of the group stage on 2 November, the Belarusian cruised to a 6-3, 6-1 win over Italy’s world number eight Jasmine Paolini in 70 minutes. Sabalenka recorded 11 aces. In the other group match No. 5-seeded Jessica Pegula of the USA defeated her fellow compatriot No. 3 Coco Gauff 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-2.
The first-round matches in the other group were played yesterday. Poland's Iga Swiatek (No. 2) overpowered American Madison Keys (No. 7), 6-1, 6-2. Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina (No. 6) also comfortably defeated another American, Amanda Anisimova (No. 4), 6-3, 6-1. Iga Swiatek will next play against Elena Rybakina, while Madison Keys will compete against Amanda Anisimova.
After the group stage concludes, the top two players from each group will advance to the semifinals. The tournament in the Saudi Arabian capital will conclude on 8 November. Its total prize fund is $15.5 million. If the champion wins the title undefeated, she will earn $5.07 million. Last year's champion was Coco Gauff, who defeated China's Zheng Qinwen in the final. Aryna Sabalenka lost to Gauff in the semifinals. This is Sabalenka's fifth appearance in this tournament; in 2022, she reached the final, where she lost to France's Caroline Garcia.
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