World number 1 Aryna Sabalenka is all set to compete in the WTA Finals in Riyadh. The Australian Open and US Open champion took her first step toward not only her first year-end title, but also the year-end No. 1 ranking, with a 6- 3, 6-4 over Zheng Qinwen in the first round robin. match in the Purple Group.
Sabalenka, who hopes to hold off Iga Swiatek and finish in first place, faced just one break point in the entire duration of the one hour and 24 minute match to improve her score to 5-0 against Zheng in total. That chance came to the Olympic gold medalist at 1-1 in the first set, but Sabalenka fended it off – Zheng missed a backhand return wide and long – and was never challenged on her serve until the end.
Sabalenka credited her performance – she won 94% of the points played on her first serve of the match and committed only one double fault, in the final game of the match – for making the difference in the overall victory.
“I am very happy with this victory,” Sabalenka said. “I think I served really well tonight and I put so much pressure on him. »
“She’s a great player and we’ve always had great battles against each other. She plays very aggressive tennis and she kind of forces me to step up and really go for it. »
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