Riyadh
Sabalenka off and running in Saudi
Aryna Sabalenka made a running start at the WTA Finals on Saturday, starting the year-ender with a 6-3, 6-4 group win over China’s Zheng Qinwen.
The world No. 1 has now beaten the seventh-ranked Olympic gold medalist all five times they have played. The match was a repeat of the Wuhan final played only weeks ago.
Sabalenka earned her 21st win from her last 22 matches.
The top seed is fighting this wrapup week to hold off rival Iga Swiatek, who lost the top WTA ranking due to inactivity this autumn as she skipped Asian events to reorganise her coaching team.
Sabalenka can assure herself of year-end No. 1 status by winning her next two group matches. Another route: reach the final no matter how Swiatek performs in Riyadh.
Zheng out-aced the winner eight to three but Sabalenka is not worried after her solid performance.
“Anytime we come to the tournament, we want to win. That’s the first goal.
“I’m trying to be focused on the first part. I prefer to focus step by step. Let’s just start slowly.”