RIYADH: Top seed Aryna Sabalenka kicked off her WTA Finals campaign with a dominant 6-3, 6-1 win over Jasmine Paolini, while defending champion Coco Gauff struggled with double faults as Jessica Pegula beat her 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-2 in Riyadh on Sunday.
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Sabalenka, who won the US Open this year, landed 11 aces and frustrated Paolini with powerful returns near the sidelines, with the Italian growing tired as the match progressed. The world number one has now won 60 matches on tour this year.
“Doesn’t matter the score, I always know I have to stay focused. If you give (Paolini) an opportunity she will take control of the game,” Sabalenka said after the 500th match of her career. “I was focused, I was calm and it feels like everything was in control.”
Speaking to Arab News after the match, Sabalenka said: “I know that I have to win five matches if I want to hold this beautiful trophy. So basically, my mindset is just go out there and compete and fight for every match.”
