The first round of the WTA Finals, the final match of the women’s tennis tour season, was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on the 4th, with world number one Arina Sabalenka from Belarus advancing to the semifinals (2024 Reuters)
[Reuters]- The first round of the WTA Finals, the final tournament of the women’s tennis tour season, was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on the 4th, with world No. 1 and Belarusian Alina Sabalenka advancing to the semifinals.
Sabalenka faced fourth-seeded Jasmine Paolini of Italy and won in straight sets, 6-3, 7-5. They became the only team in the group to win two consecutive games, and made it through with one game remaining.
If Sabalenka scores a win against fifth-seeded Elena Rubakina (Kazakhstan) in the final league match on the 6th, or loses to Iga Świętek (Poland), she will be confirmed as world No. 1 for the year.
Sabalenka said, “I’m not only proud of myself, but also of the team. We overcame a lot. The reason we were able to play such great tennis and become number one in the world is because of our teamwork. It’s not my strength.”
Meanwhile, Rubakina lost to 7th seed Zheng Qinwen (China) 6-7, 6-3, 1-6, marking her second straight loss.
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