Aryna Sabalenková of Belarus already has a place in the semi-finals of the Tennis Tournament of Champions.
Sabalenková also managed the second match in Riyadh without losing a set, although she faced two set points at the end of the match.
In the opening act, she quickly jumped to a 4-0 lead, only then did Paolini get the first point on the return. She then kept pace with her opponent, but did not save the set.
In the second part, the Roland Garros and Wimbledon finalist took a 2-0 lead, but Sabalenkova responded with two breaks to take a 4-2 lead.
However, she complicated the end with another lost serve and even had to fend off two set points in the tenth game, but she did not allow any more drama and quickly closed the duel.
The hope of progressing to the semi-finals was revived by the Chinese woman Cheng Chin-wen, who defeated Jelena Rybakinová from Kazakhstan 7:6, 3:6, 6:1.
The Olympic champion from Paris, who is playing at the prestigious event for the first time, won her first win in the Purple group, and for the second promotion place, she will face Paolini in a direct duel between two debutants.
Rybakinová no longer has a chance to reach the semifinals in the final match against Sabalenkova.
World No. 7 Cheng Chin-wen defeated Rybakinová for the first time in her career and adjusted the balance of the matches to 1:2. She won the duel against last year’s Wimbledon champion in two hours and 27 minutes.
The first set was won by the Chinese woman in a tie-break, where she won 7:4. In the second set, Rybakinová equalized when she turned the unfavorable situation 2:3 with four games.
But the decisive battle already belonged to her Chinese opponent, who won the remaining five games from the 1:1 score and converted the very first match point.
Tennis Tournament of Champions in Riyadh (hard surface, subsidy 15,250,000 dollars):
Singles – Purple group: Sabalenkova (1-Bel.) – Paolini (4-It.) 6:3, 7:5, Cheng Chin-wen (7-China) – Rybakin (5-Kaz.) 7:6 (7 :4), 3:6, 6:1.
1. Sabalenková 2 2 0 4:0 2
2. Paolini 2 1 1 2:2 1
3. Cheng Chin-wen 2 1 1 2:3 1
4. Rybakinová 2 0 2 1:4 0
Doubles – Green Group: SiniakovaTownsendová (8-CZ/USA) – Melicharová-Martinezová, Perezová (6-USA/Austria) 6:2, 6:2, Sie Shu-wei, Mertensová (3-Taiwan/Belg.) – L. Kičenokova, Ostapenko (1-Ukr./Lat.) 6:1, 6:3.
1. Siniaková, Townsendová 2 2 0 4:1 2
2. Melicharová-Martinezová, Perezová 2 1 1 2:3 1
3. Mertensová, Sie Šu-wei 2 1 1 3:2 1
4. L. Kičenoková, Ostapenko 2 0 2 1:4 0
Tournament of champions on Canal+ Sport
You can watch all matches from Riyadh on the station from November 2 Canal+ Sport2. Live broadcasts will be linked by live studios. Former champions Lucie Šafářová, Andrea Hlaváčková, Lucie Hradecká, Barbora Strýcová, Klára Koukalová and Kristýna Plíšková will appear as experts, commentators or reporters.
Special guests are also invited: sports psychologist Michal Šafář or promoter Tomáš Petera. In the studio before the singles final on Saturday, November 9, two-time Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitová promised to participate.
Edit of the match Siniaková, Townsendová – Melicharová-Martinezová, Perezová | Video: Canal+ Sport
