World number one Aryna Sabalenka made her debut at the Masters by dominating China's Zheng Qinwen, 7th in the world, in straight sets 6-3, 6-4, during the opening match on Saturday in Riyadh.
In the other match of the group, the Italian Jasmine Paolini (4th) defeated the Kazakh Elena Rybakina (5th) after two contested sets 7-6 (7/5), 6-4.
The Belarusian showed her power to win the first set (6-3), before breaking the reigning Olympic champion at the end of the second set (6-4).
Sabalenka, 26, has never lost against the young Chinese (22) whom she met in the final of the Australian Open and the WTA 1000 in Wuhan this season.
Also victorious at the US Open this season, the Belarusian only has to win her two other group matches to ensure she finishes the season at the top of the WTA rankings.
In search of her first Masters, Sabalenka is in competition with the Polish Iga Swiatek, world No.2 and winner of the 2023 edition, from whom she took first place in the world last month.
Paolini did not tremble for her first match in a Masters, she who was only ranked 29th at the start of the 2024 season before reaching the final at Roland-Garros then at Wimbledon.
The Italian will challenge Zheng, whom she has never beaten, for a potential qualification for the semi-finals on Monday. Sabalenka will continue the same day against Rybakina.
The Masters are taking place for the first time in Saudi Arabia, a country that wants to establish itself as a stronghold in world Tennis. The capital Riyadh also hosted an exhibition tournament last month bringing together six big names in men's tennis.
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