Aryna Sabalenka coming up with some of her best tennis against Paolini at the WTA Finals in Riyadh. Sensational lob on the run. She doesn’t get anywhere near enough credit for how much her movement has improved. Complete player. 🐅
Iga Swiatek's No. 1 hopes fade at WTA Finals as Sabalenka nears year-end No. 1
WTAMonday, 04 November 2024 at 22:30
Aryna Sabalenka is one win away from securing the year-end No. 1 ranking after a strong start at the WTA Finals. The 3-time Grand Slam champion continues to deliver commanding performances, having already defeated Zheng Qinwen (6-3, 6-4) and Jasmine Paolini (6-3, 7-5), securing her place in the semifinals.
The Belarusian now has two chances to close out the year as world No. 1. On Wednesday, she will face Elena Rybakina, who comes into the match with two consecutive losses. If Sabalenka wins, she will secure the year-end No. 1 regardless of any other result.
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If Sabalenka loses to Rybakina, she will still have another chance in the semifinals, where another win would ensure her first-ever year-end No. 1 ranking. Sabalenka’s favorability to win the tournament suggests that only an upset would give Swiatek a chance. The Polish player won her opening match against Barbora Krejcikova and will next face Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff.
For Swiatek to finish the season at No. 1, she would need to win the title undefeated and hope Sabalenka loses to both Rybakina and in the semifinals. Last year, Swiatek achieved a similar feat, reclaiming the top spot at the Finals after Sabalenka lost a crucial Round Robin match (to Jessica Pegula) and then fell in straight sets to the 5-time Grand Slam champion.
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Sabalenka's most recent match against Jasmine Paolini wasn’t her best, with more unforced errors than usual. Even so, she managed to raise her level in key moments and seal the victory in straight sets. “I would say that overall the whole match was a tough match. She’s [Paolini] such a great player,” Sabalenka said in her on-court interview.
“She was putting so much pressure [on me], serving well, moving great. She’s a great player, and I’m super happy with this win," the 26-year-old added. “The second set was quite tricky. Honestly, I don’t know – I was just trying to show her that I was going to fight for this set no matter what. I’m really happy to close this match in straight sets.”
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