It was a dominating start for Aryna Sabalenka at the WTA Finals as she pushed closer to securing the year-end world number one ranking. The Belarusian tennis sensation, who previously claimed the Australian Open title this year, left a strong mark in her group-stage opener against Greece’s Maria Sakkari.
Sabalenka, aged 25, showcased her prowess by firing six aces and unleashing 17 winners while adeptly defending against all five break points presented by her opponent. In a swift and resounding victory, Sabalenka emerged triumphant with a scoreline of 6-0, 6-1 after only 74 minutes on the court. Witness the best tennis game ever with attractive betting odds from Nextbet.
“It wasn’t as easy as the score showed,” Sabalenka commented after the match. “I just tried to stay focused, tried to control myself in this match, doing everything I can to win.”
In another singles group stage encounter, American Jessica Pegula displayed her skills by defeating Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina with a score of 7-5, 6-2 in 83 minutes. The WTA Finals, a season-ending event with a substantial $9 million prize purse, is unfolding on outdoor hardcourts in Cancun, Mexico.
The tournament features two groups, each comprised of four players who will engage in round-robin matches until Friday. The two top performers from each group will advance to the semi-finals scheduled for Saturday, leading up to the final set for next Sunday.
Aryna Sabalenka, currently the world’s top-ranked player, is striving to maintain her position and secure the coveted year-end crown. Her main competitor is the reigning French Open champion, Iga Swiatek from Poland, who currently holds the second spot in the rankings.
Sabalenka’s path to claiming the year-end top spot involves performing well in the group stage with a 2-1 record and reaching the final, regardless of Swiatek’s results. Sabalenka’s triumphant start at the WTA Finals has piled on the pressure, making it essential for Swiatek to win the tournament to have any chance of clinching the year-end number one ranking.
Sabalenka’s impressive track record this year includes being the runner-up at the US Open and reaching the semi-finals at both Wimbledon and the French Open. She also clinched WTA titles at Madrid and Adelaide, further solidifying her position as a top contender in women’s tennis.
Notably, Sabalenka previously ascended to the world number one ranking after reaching the US Open final in September, ending Swiatek’s 75-week reign atop the rankings, which began in April 2022.
Reflecting on her journey, Sabalenka commented, “It’s good to reach one of your goals, but you still need to work hard and bring your best tennis. When you reach number one, I feel like you have this huge target on your back.”
Looking ahead to the upcoming matches, Monday’s schedule features exciting matchups. Iga Swiatek will face reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova of the Czech Republic, while the 19-year-old American sensation, Coco Gauff, who clinched the US Open title, will go head-to-head with Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur. The competition is heating up at the WTA Finals, promising more thrilling tennis action in the days to come. Get the latest updates from the world of tennis only on Nextbet Sports.
