WTA Masters: Sabalenka loses to Paolini, Rybakina is eliminated

World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka managed to break the resistance of Italian Jasmine Paolini (N.4) beaten 6-3, 7-5 in 1h30 in the second match of the second day of the purple group of the WTA Masters, Monday in Riyadh. This new victory for the powerful Belarusian, after that against Qinwen Zheng (N.7) on Saturday, condemns the Kazakh Elena Rybakina (N.5), eliminated from the race for the semi-finals after her second defeat in two matches in these Masters, against the Chinese a little earlier.

In this match of extremes, between one of the tallest players on the circuit, Sabalenka (1.82 m), and one of the smallest, Paolini (1.63 m), the tall one immediately took the serve from the Italian to lead 2-0. Despite his resistance, Paolini gave up the first round in 35 minutes.

Change of scenery in the second where this time, it was the Italian who took Sabalenka’s first service game to lead 2-0, on a double fault from the Belarusian. Jostled by Paolini’s speed, the new world No. 1 gritted her teeth, lining up winning returns and four games.

But at 4-3, another blow of slack. Sabalenka committed two double faults and an unforced error, allowing Paolini to equalize at 4-4, then regain the lead 5-4 on his serve, and even obtain two set points. She managed to save them before finally winning in two rounds.

Zheng Qinwen, Olympic champion, opened the day by beating Rybakina 7-6 (7/4), 3-6, 6-1, after a 2h24 match. In the first set, Zheng saved two break points at 1-1, before immediately taking the opponent’s serve to break away 3-1, then 4-1.

Rybakina stayed in the match by taking Zheng’s serve on a double fault from the Chinese to return to 3-4, then 4-4. In the decisive game, Zheng broke away 4 points to 1 by taking advantage of four errors in a row from Rybakina, and pocketed this set in almost an hour thanks to a backhand that was too long from the Kazakh.

In the second round, the level went up a notch. The two players, playing well at the same time, went blow for blow. Zheng obtained the first break point at 2-2, on which Rybakina gave in under the power of her forehands.

But the Kazakh broke immediately, then delighted Zheng’s commitment to lead 5-3 and equalize with a shutout. In the decisive set, Zheng again made the break first, at 2-1, thanks to a long-line backhand return. She confirmed this break with a shutout to lead 4-1. Unlike the first set, Rybakina will not be able to come back this time, losing for the first time against the Chinese in three confrontations.