On the second day of the WTA Finals in Riyadh, the competition intensified as top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka and defending champion Coco Gauff took the court amid contrasting fortunes. Sabalenka showcased her dominance, dispatching Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in a swift 6-3, 6-1 victory that lasted just 70 minutes. In stark contrast, Gauff faced a grueling battle against compatriot Jessica Pegula, ultimately falling short in a 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-2 encounter that spanned over two hours.
Following her commanding performance, Sabalenka expressed her enthusiasm for maintaining her spot as the world’s number one for a consecutive year. “It feels super special,” said the Belarusian, reflecting on the hard work that has led her to this moment. “I’m getting better every day, and I just hope to keep doing what we’re doing.”
With her victory over Paolini, Sabalenka clinched her 500th match win on the WTA tour, a significant milestone that she achieved while also establishing an early lead in the Stefanie Graf Group standings. Despite a minor dip in form during the first set, she recovered swiftly, breaking Paolini’s serve multiple times to secure her position as the front-runner in round-robin play.
Conversely, Gauff’s performance against Pegula unraveled somewhat. While aiming to defend her title, the young star struggled with consistency, as evidenced by her tally of 17 double-faults and nine breaks of serve. Despite showcasing resilience by winning the second set in a tiebreak, Gauff couldn’t maintain momentum in the deciding set. “Obviously, little frustrated with the serve today,” she admitted post-match.
Pegula, who is enjoying the best form of her career at the age of 31, credited her mental fortitude and strategic adjustments for the victory. “I just had to pick up on a few things to turn the match around,” she explained, highlighting her competitive spirit throughout the contest.
Both players now gear up for their next matches, with Sabalenka focusing on extending her undefeated streak against Pegula, while Gauff sets her sights on bouncing back from this setback. The stage is set for what promises to be an electrifying continuation of this prestigious tournament in Riyadh, as the world’s elite women’s tennis players vie for the coveted WTA Finals title.
