Aryna Sabalenka is proving she's a force to be reckoned with at the WTA Finals, but her latest victory wasn't just a win, it was a nail-biting demonstration of resilience and raw power. Did she have what it takes to hold on?
In a thrilling match that kept fans on the edge of their seats, Sabalenka battled past Jessica Pegula in a hard-fought three-set encounter. The final score: 6–4, 2–6, 6–3, a testament to the intensity and back-and-forth nature of their contest, which stretched just over two hours at the King Saud University Indoor Arena in Riyadh. This victory keeps Sabalenka's undefeated streak alive at the Finals and brings her tantalizingly close to securing a coveted spot in the semifinals.
You can check out the latest scores, draws, and order of play at these links: WTA Finals: Scores | Draws | Order of play.
This marks Sabalenka's ninth victory in twelve meetings against Pegula. But here's where it gets controversial... While the head-to-head record might suggest dominance, their rivalry has blossomed into a fierce competition, with each of their last three matches requiring a deciding set to determine the victor. This clearly shows that Pegula is constantly improving and pushing Sabalenka to her absolute limit.
After the match, Sabalenka acknowledged the challenge, stating, "She always pushes me to the limit. In the second set, I felt like she stepped in and played incredible tennis. In the third set, I was thinking ‘OK, I’m going to go after my shots, I’m going to stay even more aggressive and put all that speed back on her and hope I’ll get my chance.' And yeah, again she pushed me and I love it. I love playing against her because it’s never an easy match. It's always great tennis, great level, great points and I’m super happy with the win.”
But here's the part most people miss... Even with this crucial win, Sabalenka's semifinal berth isn't guaranteed just yet. While she currently leads the Stefanie Graf Group with a 2-0 record, the competition remains fierce. Jasmine Paolini is out of contention, leaving Sabalenka, Pegula, and Coco Gauff all vying for those coveted semifinal spots. Sabalenka’s next match is against Gauff, and the stakes couldn't be higher.
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Let's break down the key moments that defined Sabalenka's victory:
In the first set, after navigating an initial break point scare, Sabalenka seized the initiative, converting her fourth break point opportunity with a powerful forehand winner to establish a 4-2 lead. She consolidated this advantage by holding serve, extending her lead to 5-2. Pegula mounted a determined comeback, saving a set point and breaking Sabalenka as she served for the set, narrowing the gap to 5-4. However, Sabalenka remained resolute, ultimately converting her fifth set point to secure the opening set in 45 minutes.
The second set saw Sabalenka continue to apply pressure on Pegula's serve. This time, however, it was Pegula who seized the opportunities, breaking Sabalenka's serve at love in her second service game and then again later in the set to take a commanding 5-2 lead. Sabalenka, needing to win the second set to clinch the Stefanie Graf Group, had a couple more chances with break points in the final game, but Pegula saved both. Pegula then unleashed three forehand winners, forcing a decisive third set.
Pegula carried her momentum into the third set, breaking early for a 2-1 lead, positioning herself for a second consecutive comeback win against Sabalenka. Sabalenka struggled with her first serve, starting the set 3-for-14 and committing multiple double faults.
But, as she's known to do, Sabalenka unleashed a level of play that few can match on the WTA Tour. Her first serve regained its power and accuracy, errors transformed into winners, and her signature roar resonated throughout the arena. She surged ahead, winning four consecutive games to establish a 5-2 lead. Serving for the match, she remained composed, sealing the victory with a final forehand winner that brought her to her knees, placing her on the doorstep of the semifinals.
What's next for Sabalenka? This victory marked her 61st win of the season and her 13th against a top 10 opponent, a feat unmatched since Iga Swiatek's 15 top-10 wins in 2022. She will now face Coco Gauff in a crucial match with the opportunity to even their head-to-head record, which currently favors Gauff 6-5, and potentially increase her top-10 wins to 14.
A win against Gauff would guarantee Sabalenka first place in the Stefanie Graf Group with a flawless 3-0 record, securing her spot in the semifinals in Riyadh. A loss would still leave her in a strong position, but with a slight element of uncertainty. Ultimately, the match will determine who controls their destiny and who relies on the results of others.
Given Sabalenka's ups and downs in this match, do you think she has what it takes to go all the way and win the WTA Finals? Or will her inconsistency be her downfall against the other top players? Share your predictions and thoughts below!
