Aryna Sabalenka's unstoppable performance demolishes Maria Sakkari in a one-sided contest at WTA Finals
WTAMonday, 30 October 2023 at 02:18
Aryna
Sabalenka left no chance for Maria Sakkari, crushing her 6-0, 6-1 in the
opening of the WTA Finals.
The Greek
tennis player had a dark day in Cancun at the WTA Finals. Sabalenka's strength was relentless
from the beginning, pushing Sakkari to desperation.
Sakkari
entered as the 9th in the Race and qualified thanks to Karolina Muchova's
withdrawal, which opened up a spot in the round-robin. World No. 9 had a first
set almost to forget, showing nervousness and low numbers from her serves.
She had a
mere 42% first serve percentage, winning 38% of them and only 27% with her
second serve. On the other hand, Sabalenka boasted a 57% first serve
percentage, winning 75% of them and 42% with her second serve, far surpassing
her rival.
The
Belarusian was dominant in crucial points, saving all four break opportunities
she offered and converting three of the four chances she had. In just 38
minutes, Sabalenka claimed a 6-0 set in which Sakkari could do little against
the power in her shots.
The second
set was even worse for Sakkari, as it seemed no shot was effective. She even
appeared to be in tears during the side changes and one of her service games
due to the frustration of her poor performance.
Sabalenka
had an extraordinary second set, being highly effective in the rallies and
winning almost all her points with the first serve (88%). The Belarusian only
gave up one break opportunity, which she saved, and converted three out of five
chances.
Unfortunately
for Sakkari, despite her efforts, she couldn't overcome her opponent, but she
managed to steal a game from Sabalenka in a forgettable match: 6-0, 6-1 in
favor of the world No. 1.
Both of
them still have two more matches in this WTA Finals, facing Elena Rybakina
(4th) and Jessica Pegula (5th). The American defeated the Kazakh earlier with a
score of 7-5, 6-2.
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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