Aryna Sabalenka kicked off the WTA Finals with a convincing victory over Qinwen Zheng, defeating the Olympic champion 6-3, 6-4 in Riyadh. This win positions Sabalenka at the top of Group A (Purple Group) as she embarks on her title defense after a successful season.
Strong Service Performance
From the outset, both players showcased their powerful serves, making it a thrilling matchup. However, Zheng struggled with her first serve, landing only 43% compared to Sabalenka’s impressive 69%. This disparity proved crucial; Sabalenka lost just one point on her serve throughout the match, demonstrating her dominance in crucial moments. The set was ultimately decided in two key games where Sabalenka excelled, successfully defending a breakpoint and capitalizing on her opportunities to break Zheng’s serve.
Mental Game Decides the Second Set
As the second set began, Zheng found her rhythm, improving her serving significantly. It quickly became apparent that the mental aspect would play a pivotal role in determining the winner. Unfortunately for Zheng, the pressure mounted, and she faltered at a critical juncture, committing a double fault when the score was tied at 4-4. Sabalenka seized the opportunity to break her serve, closing out the match decisively on her own serve.
Looking Ahead
With this victory, Sabalenka not only solidified her position as the world number one but also sent a strong message to her competitors. Her next challenge will be against fellow competitor Elena Rybakina, while Zheng will look to regroup after a commendable performance. The stage is set for more exciting matches as the WTA Finals continue.
