No.1 Sabalenka sizzles past Sakkari as WTA Finals begin

Aryna Sabalenka, the top-ranked tennis player, took a step closer to securing the year-end world number one ranking by delivering a dominant performance against Maria Sakkari from Greece in the opening group stage match at the WTA Finals.

The 25-year-old Belarusian, who clinched the Australian Open title earlier this year, showcased her skills with six aces and 17 winners while successfully defending all five break points she faced. Sabalenka defeated Sakkari with a commanding 6-0, 6-1 victory in the season-ending event held in Cancun, Mexico.

Sakkari put up a fight by saving three match points to hold serve in the penultimate game, but ultimately fell after a challenging contest lasting 74 minutes.

“The score doesn’t reflect how challenging the match was,” Sabalenka commented. “I remained focused and tried to control myself throughout the match, giving my all to secure the win.”

In another singles group stage match at the $9 million outdoor hardcourt tournament, Jessica Pegula of the United States defeated Elena Rybakina from Kazakhstan with a 7-5, 6-2 victory in 83 minutes.

The tournament features two groups of four players who will compete in round-robin matches until Friday. The top two finishers from each group will advance to the semi-finals, scheduled for Saturday. The final match will take place on the following Sunday.

Sabalenka is aiming to hold off Iga Swiatek, currently ranked second and the reigning French Open champion from Poland, to secure the year-end crown. To achieve this, Sabalenka must maintain a 2-1 record in the group stage and reach the final, regardless of Swiatek’s performance.

The victory by Sabalenka confirms that Swiatek must win the tournament title in order to have a chance at claiming the year-end top spot.

Sabalenka’s achievements this year include being the runner-up in the US Open, as well as reaching the semi-finals in Wimbledon and the French Open. She also secured WTA titles in Madrid and Adelaide.

Sabalenka became the world number one after her impressive run to the US Open final in September, ending Swiatek’s 75-week reign at the top of the rankings since her debut as number one in April 2022.

“It’s a great accomplishment to achieve one of your goals, but it’s important to continue working hard and delivering your best tennis,” Sabalenka said. “When you become number one, it feels like there’s a huge target on your back.”

The opening matches in the other group, scheduled for Monday, will feature Swiatek against reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova from the Czech Republic, and 19-year-old American Coco Gauff, the US Open champion, against Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur.

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