RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Prime-ranked Aryna Sabalenka eased to a straight-set victory over Zheng Qinwen within the opening match of the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
Sabalenka gained 6-3, 6-4 to increase her good file in opposition to the Chinese language participant to 5-0. It was additionally her twenty first win in her final 22 matches.
The seventh-seeded Zheng misplaced the final three video games as her focus slipped, and in addition appeared to have misplaced observe of the rating. After hitting a backhand lengthy on match level, Zheng headed towards her chair on what she appeared to assume was a change of ends as an alternative of going to the web for the standard handshake.
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She smiled and held up her hand in apology after realizing earlier than heading again to the middle.
The victory additionally units up Sabalenka for ending the yr on the high. The Belarusian participant solely must win two of her three group matches to make sure she retains the No. 1 rating.
Fourth-seeded Jasmine Paolini of Italy beat fifth-seeded Elena Rybakina within the different Purple Group match.
Paolini, who’s having fun with a breakout season, edged a decent match 7-6 (5), 6-4 on her debut on the year-ending match for the highest eight ranked gamers.
American gamers Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula will face off within the Orange Group on Sunday after second-seeded Iga Swiatek takes on Barbora Krejcikova.
