RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka turned in a dominant serving efficiency in her first WTA Finals match Sunday, producing 10 aces and defeating No. 8 Jasmine Paolini 6-3, 6-1.
Sabalenka hit 4 aces within the closing sport of the primary set and accomplished 82.7% of her first serves total.
The match, which was Sabalenka’s five hundredth match at WTA stage, lasted 70 minutes.
“I felt targeted, calm and all the pieces was underneath management,” Sabalenka stated.
On Saturday, Sabalenka was awarded a trophy for ending the yr in first place.
“I am very joyful and really happy with how nicely my work has gone thus far. I am getting higher every single day,” she stated. “And we simply preserve doing what we’re doing and hopefully keep there.”
The ultimate match of the season for the highest eight gamers of the yr begins with a spherical robin match between two teams of 4 girls every. The highest two from every group advance to the semifinals.
“I have a look at this match as an everyday match, the place I’ve to win 5 matches to win the title,” Sabalenka stated. “So I am simply making an attempt to play my finest tennis and struggle for each level.”
In the identical group, Jessica Pegula defeated defending champion Coco Gauff 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-2 within the All-American match.
Gauff as soon as once more struggled together with her serve, committing 17 double faults, together with one which handed the primary set to her former doubles companion Pegula.
Gauff didn’t serve out twice within the second set earlier than in the end profitable the tiebreaker. In her second probability, she dedicated three consecutive double faults, giving Pegula one other break and forcing a tiebreak.
Three weeks in the past, Gauff defeated Pegula within the closing of the Wuhan Open in China.
“Coco is a good champion, an important competitor and a great pal, so it is all the time powerful to play towards her,” Pegula stated. “I do not suppose there are any secrets and techniques on this group of women.”
Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina gained their opening matches on Saturday. Additionally on Saturday, Paolini and companion Sara Errani gained their opening doubles match.
