The WTA Finals in Riyadh witnessed a thrilling day of tennis on Tuesday, featuring significant victories from top competitors in the Stefanie Graf Group. Defending champion Coco Gauff showcased her fighting spirit by decisively defeating Jasmine Paolini with a score of 6-3, 6-2. Later in the day, Aryna Sabalenka prevailed in a tightly contested match against Jessica Pegula, winning 6-4, 2-6, 6-3.
Gauff, who struggled with her serve in her tournament opener, significantly improved her performance against the Italian. After committing a staggering 17 double faults in her previous match against Pegula, she reduced her errors to just three against Paolini, dominating the encounter over 78 minutes. Gauff won 35 out of 50 service points, excelling particularly on her second serve, winning 15 of 19 such points.
Reflecting on her performance, Gauff expressed satisfaction at turning her form around. “I’m really happy with how I was able to turn it around. Only 3 double faults is a big difference,” she noted. After a conservative approach to serving, Gauff was pleased to make adjustments from her prior match, stating, “I just tried to slow it down.”
Paolini, who was dealing with energy struggles, managed to briefly rally in the match but was unable to maintain momentum against Gauff’s relentless style. Despite her exit from the singles competition, she remains in the tournament, partnering with Sara Errani in doubles.
In the later match, Sabalenka faced a determined Pegula. After taking the first set comfortably, Sabalenka encountered challenges in the second as Pegula fought back, leveraging her returns effectively to push the match to a decider. Despite a rocky second set, Sabalenka found her rhythm in the final set, recovering from an early break to seal victory with powerful serves and strategic shot placement.
Sabalenka reflected on her rollercoaster match, praising Pegula’s tenacity. “She’s an incredible player. She always pushed me to the limit,” she remarked, highlighting her focus on aggression and execution throughout the match. The victory brought Sabalenka’s season win total to 61 and further propelled her position in the WTA rankings.
Looking ahead, Gauff is set to face off against Sabalenka, where both players will vie for a spot in the semifinals. For Gauff, the upcoming match carries the weight of her potential elimination, while Sabalenka aims to solidify her position as the group leader.
As the tournament progresses, the excitement remains palpable, with thrilling matchups lined up for Wednesday, including a decisive clash between Iga Swiatek and Amanda Anisimova to secure a semifinal berth from the Serena Williams Group. The stakes are high as the season concludes, making each match a battle for glory.
