Jessica Pegula started her 2023 WTA Finals campaign with a solid victory over an inconsistent Elena Rybakina, winning 7-5, 6-2 in the opening match of the tournament.
In the first match of the WTA Finals, Pegula and Rybakina faced off. The American player performed better throughout the match, while the Kazakh player never seemed truly comfortable on the court.
Pegula entered the match with high confidence after a successful Asian tour, where she reached the final of the Tokyo Open and won the WTA 250 Korea Open. Rybakina had not seen much competitive action in recent weeks, with her only tournament since the US Open being the WTA 1000 China Open, where she reached the semifinals.
The beginning of the match was closely contested, and Pegula had the first two break opportunities in the third game but failed to convert them. In the eighth game, Rybakina earned her first break chance thanks to Pegula's struggles with her first serve, taking a 5-3 lead with a chance to win the set on her serve.
However, Pegula remained composed, winning the next four games in succession to take the set 7-5. Rybakina hit 7 winners but struggled with a total of 24 unforced errors, while Pegula delivered 5 winners with 10 unforced errors.
The second set started well for the American, who broke Rybakina's serve to lead 2-0 within a few minutes. A second break in the fifth game seemed to put Pegula firmly in control, but Rybakina responded with a break in the following game.
Just when it appeared that the Kazakh was getting back into the match, she conceded her serve for the third time in the set, giving Pegula a 5-2 advantage and the opportunity to serve for the match.
With this victory, Pegula tops the group's table, while Rybakina is at the bottom. Both players still have two more matches guaranteed against their group companions, Aryna Sabalenka and Maria Sakkari, to determine the two qualifiers for the tournament's semifinals.
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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