‘Beast mode’ Sabalenka beats Pegula at WTA Finals
World number one Aryna Sabalenka entered “beast mode” to defeat Jessica Pegula and close in on a place in the knockout stages of the WTA Finals – after Coco Gauff also won to keep alive her hopes of defending her title.
US Open champion Sabalenka secured back-to-back wins in Riyadh by overcoming American fifth seed Pegula 6-4 2-6 6-3, but required a straight-set win to confirm her progress from the Stefanie Graf Group.
Instead, Sabalenka will face world number three Gauff in the final round on Thursday with both players’ semi-final hopes in the balance.
“[Pegula] played incredible tennis. In the second set she started playing on another level and when I went a break down in the third I just told myself I had to play more aggressive,” Sabalenka told Sky Sports.
”I felt sorry, but at the same time I was so happy that I was able to find that beast mode inside of me and go after my shots and play unbelievable.”
Earlier, American Gauff ensured she remains in contention by eliminating Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in an impressive 6-3 6-2 win.
Having recorded 17 double faults and 75 unforced errors in her opening loss to Pegula on Sunday, the 21-year-old demonstrated her title credentials in an assured performance.
The leading eight women’s players in singles and doubles are competing in Saudi Arabia, with the tournament having £12m ($15.5m) in prize money.
Meanwhile, Elena Rybakina became the first player to confirm her place in the knockout stages by defeating world number two Iga Swiatek in the Serena Williams Group on Monday.
Source: BBC
