Aryna Sabalenka started her quest to safe the year-end No 1 rating with a thumping 6-3 6-4 victory over China’s Zheng Qinwen in her opening round-robin match on the WTA Finals in Riyadh on Saturday.
Australian and US Open champion Sabalenka, who’s headlining the primary girls’s skilled tennis match in Saudi Arabia, packed far an excessive amount of energy for Zheng at essential factors of their fourth assembly of 2024 to remain excellent.
“She’s such a great player. We always have great battles,” Sabalenka mentioned.
“She plays aggressive tennis. She forced me to step in and go for it. That’s why I bring my best tennis and I’m super happy with the first win.”
Profitable three round-robin matches or reaching the ultimate are a number of the methods Sabalenka can retain high spot this yr, whereas closest challenger Iga Swiatek must efficiently defend the trophy to have any likelihood of overtaking her.
“It would mean everything to me. It’s one of my dreams,” Sabalenka mentioned about doubtlessly successful the title after dropping within the ultimate when it was held in Fort Value, Texas in 2022.
“I’ve really worked hard in the last few years. I really hope I’ll be able to hold this beautiful trophy one day.”
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Not realising she had suffered a defeat to Sabalenka, Zheng ready to play one other level relatively than shake fingers with the world No 1
Story of the Tape
French Open and Wimbledon runner-up Jasmine Paolini defeated 2022 All England Membership champion Elena Rybakina within the second contest from the Purple Group 7-6 (7-5) 6-4.
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Following her victory over Elena Rybakina, Jasmine Paolini believed she performed ‘a extremely stable match’
Story of the Tape
Purple Group standings
Swiatek takes on Barbora Krejcikova within the Orange Group on Sunday earlier than Coco Gauff meets Jessica Pegula.
Zverev to face residence favorite Humbert in Paris ultimate
Alexander Zverev booked his spot within the Paris Masters ultimate by beating Holger Rune in straight units.
The German reached his first hard-court ultimate of the season with a 6-3 7-6 (7-4) victory over 2022 champion Rune in a single hour and 47 minutes.
“I feel like I made it a little difficult for myself, but he (Rune) is a champion,” Zverev mentioned. “It’s probably his favourite tournament and favourite court, but I’m happy to be in my second final here. I’m looking forward to it.”
Zverev broke within the fourth recreation of the primary set and saved two break factors within the fifth on the way in which to successful the opener.
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Watch highlights of the Paris Masters match between Alexander Zverev and Holger Rune
One break appeared to be sufficient within the second as nicely, however the world No 3 did not serve out the match when main 5-4.
Nonetheless, he recovered to win the tie-break and attain his second Paris Masters ultimate after being overwhelmed by Daniil Medvedev within the 2020 showpiece.
“I feel like I made it a little difficult for myself but he is a champion,” Zverev advised the ATP web site.
“It is probably his favourite tournament and favourite court, but I am happy to be in my second final here. I am looking forward to it.”
Zverev will face Ugo Humbert within the ultimate after the Frenchman beat Karen Khachanov 6-7 (6-8) 6-4 6-3.
Humbert, who knocked out Carlos Alcaraz earlier within the match, turned the fifth Frenchman to achieve the Paris Masters ultimate.
“It is amazing to do it in Paris at my favourite tournament. It is a dream,” Humbert mentioned.
“It was a little bit difficult compared to the previous matches. I felt a little more pressure and after the loss of the first set I tried to enjoy the moment and be with the crowd. I did very well and I am super proud.”
Watch Katie Boulter on Sky Sports activities Tennis
British No 1 Katie Boulter performs within the ultimate of the Hong Kong Tennis Open towards Diana Shnaider on Sunday from 8pm.
- WTA Finals Riyadh – (November 2-9)
- Belgrade Open – ATP 250 (November 3-9)
- Moselle Open, Metz – ATP 250 (November 3-9)
- Nitto ATP Finals, Turin – (November 10-17)
Sky Sports activities+ has formally launched and might be built-in into Sky TV, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports activities app, giving Sky Sports activities clients entry to over 50 per cent extra reside sport this yr at no further price. Discover out extra right here.
