Sabalenka storms past Paolini to open WTA Finals campaign in style

Aryna Sabalenka launched her bid for a first-ever WTA Finals crown with a dominant 6-3, 6-1 win over Jasmine Paolini in Riyadh on Sunday, firing 11 aces in a commanding display.

The world No. 1 was nearly untouchable on serve, winning an impressive 81% of her first-serve points during the 70-minute clash to move to the top of the Stefanie Graf Group standings.

The victory marked Sabalenka’s 60th win of the 2025 season second only to Iga Swiatek in total match victories. The 27-year-old Belarusian was also honored in Riyadh on Saturday with the year-end world No. 1 trophy.

“That felt really special,” said the four-time Grand Slam champion. “I’m super proud of the progress we’ve made. Things are clicking, I feel I’m improving every day, and I hope we can keep this momentum going.”

Sabalenka raced to a 3-0 lead in the opening set and, despite a brief slip, closed it out in 36 minutes. In the second, she fended off two break points early before cruising to victory as Paolini  competing in both singles and doubles this week faded in the latter stages.

“She’s always a tricky opponent,” Sabalenka added. “No matter the score, I have to stay sharp. I’m most pleased with how calm and focused I was today.”

Elsewhere in the Stefanie Graf Group, Jessica Pegula defeated defending champion Coco Gauff 6-3, 6-7, 6-2 in an all-American duel. Gauff struggled again with her serve, producing 12 double faults  including one to concede the opening set and twice failed to serve out the second before winning it in a tiebreak.

“Coco’s a great champion and a good friend, so it’s never easy facing her,” Pegula said. “There are no secrets between us in this group.”

Meanwhile, teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva revealed that skipping the Tokyo Open a decision she now regrets  cost her a spot in the WTA Finals. Despite winning two WTA 1000 titles and reaching two Grand Slam quarter-finals this season, she was overtaken by Elena Rybakina in the final stretch. Rybakina’s late surge, including a title in Ningbo and a semi-final run in Tokyo, secured her the last berth for Riyadh.