World number 1, Aryna Sabalenka has become the first player to secure a semi-final spot at the WTA Finals following her hard-fought win over a resilient Jasmine Paolini in straight sets.
The Belarusian won 6-3, 7-5 in a victory that also confirmed Elena Rybakina’s elimination from the season-ending tournament in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Sabalenka’s gritty win over the Italian means she’s one step closer to claiming her first WTA Finals title.
Should she defeat Rybakina in her final Purple Group match on Wednesday, the Belarusian will remain top of the standings into 2025, out of reach of Iga Swiatek.
