Ons Jabeur
revealed her favorites to advance from the Round Robin at the WTA Finals,
choosing Jessica Pegula as the tournament champion. The three-time Grand Slam
finalist didn’t qualify for this year’s event after participating in 2022 and
2023, but traveled to Riyadh as one of the tournament ambassadors and a
television commentator.
The
tournament began Saturday with the Purple Group, consisting of Aryna Sabalenka
(No. 1), Jasmine Paolini (No. 4), Elena Rybakina (No. 5), and Zheng Qinwen (No.
7). With only two players advancing, Jabeur selected current world No. 1
Sabalenka and Italy’s Paolini to reach the semifinals.
Read also
The Orange
Group debuts Sunday, featuring matches with Iga Swiatek (No. 2) against Barbora
Krejcikova (No. 8) and Jessica Pegula (No. 6) versus Coco Gauff (No. 3). This
time, Jabeur picked Swiatek and Pegula to advance, both of whom were finalists
in 2023, with Swiatek winning the title.
Jabeur
expects a surprise champion this year, believing Pegula may perform even better
than in 2023 and take the title. “I love Jessi, not just as a tennis player,
but her personality. I think she’s amazing for our sport; she’s very humble,
and I enjoy talking with her,” Jabeur began.
Read also
“I think
she’s honestly an amazing player. The fact that she was injured at the
beginning of the year, didn’t start the year well, and still qualified—I think
that’s honestly a miracle,” added the former world No. 2. “And the way she
played during the US swing was so impressive. She has a strong game, and I
think this court could really suit her well. She plays tricky, low shots, and
having played against her, I’d definitely put my money on Jess.”
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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