RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Prime-ranked Aryna Sabalenka defeated Coco Gauff 7-6 (5), 6-2 on the WTA Finals on Thursday, incomes her third consecutive group stage win and eliminating her American opponent from the match within the course of.
Sabalenka’s victory means Jessica Pegula will advance from her group to the semi-finals together with the Belarusian No. 1. Pegula first defeated Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 6-3, enhancing her file to 2-1. Within the ultimate match of the season, the place the world’s high eight gamers competed, defending champion Gauff completed with 1 win and a couple of losses, whereas Paolini completed with 0 wins and three losses.
Sabalenka will face Amanda Anisimova in Friday’s semifinals in a rematch of this yr’s US Open ultimate, whereas Pegula will face Elena Rybakina.
Gauff broke Sabalenka twice within the first set, holding two break factors and main 5-2. The American was serving for the set at 5-4, however Sabalenka chased a drop shot and hit a forehand winner down the road to interrupt.
“To be sincere, I used to be already working in direction of the second set,” Sabalenka stated. “One thing clicked and I used to be in a position to break. That match gave me a variety of confidence that I might nonetheless win this set.”
Gauff led 4-2 within the tiebreak, however then hit a backhand on the subsequent level after which double-faulted to provide Sabalenka two set factors. Sabalenka broke within the first recreation of the second set after changing her second with one other forehand winner and was in full management from there.
“We had a variety of possibilities within the first set,” Gauff stated. “It was somewhat disappointing to not get that one. She stepped up her stage after which I simply could not discover it. General, I feel I performed at a excessive stage.”
