World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka secured her place in the semifinals of the WTA Finals by defeating Jasmine Paolini in the purple group on Monday.
Sabalenka beat the Italian 6-3 7-5 to improve to 2-0 and, combined with Qinwen Zheng’s earlier day win over Elena Rybakina, ensured she would finish as group winner.
The top-ranked Sabalenka has now won 22 of her last 23 matches and has one round-robin victory to secure the year-end No. 1 ranking for the first time.
Also, if Iga Sviatek loses to Coco Gauff on Tuesday, Sabalenka will take over the year-end No. 1 ranking.
On Wednesday, Sabalenka will face Rybakina in the final group match of the week, where a 3-0 score will seal the top spot.
The tape tale
Purple group
Zheng overcomes Rybakina
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Highlights from the WTA Finals match between Elena Rybakina and Qinwen Zheng
Rybakina, plagued by insomnia, allergies and injuries, had only played four matches since Wimbledon in mid-July and fatigue played a role as China’s Olympic gold medalist Zheng recorded her first career victory over the 25-year-old in three attempts, winning in seven : -6 (7-4) 3-6 6-1.
The winner of Zheng-Paolini will join Sabalenka in the semifinals on Wednesday.
What’s next on Sky Sports Tennis?
- 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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