Aryna Sabalenka and Qinwen Zheng earned round-robin wins in Round 2 of the 2024 WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Sabalenka is now 2-0 defeating Zheng in Round 1 and Jasmine Paolini in Round 2. Zheng won her first-ever WTA Finals match (and first career match) over Elena Rybakina.
Aryna Sabalenka blasts a forehand winner past Jasmine Paolini at the WTA Finals in Riyadh.
Obliterating the ball to utter perfection.
Domineering power. 🐅
pic.twitter.com/FOQbnVMYON— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 4, 2024
Sabalenka advances to the semifinals. She continues to be the favorite to win the event. The indoor fast courts suit her game well. Some believe that Coco Gauff who is athletic and a great hardcourt player may be the player who stands in her way.
Aryna Sabalenka defeats Jasmine Paolini
Jasmine Paolini put up a good fight but did not have the answers for Sabalenka’s massive serve and groundstrokes. It is almost impossible to believe that a few years ago Sabalenka had a very inconsistent serve, frequently double-faulting. She has not dropped a set and has set a dominant tone this year at the WTA Finals.
Jasmine Paolini showing some incredible speed against Aryna Sabalenka at the WTA Finals in Riyadh.
Great defending.
She gets up to the ball so quick, and even has time to hit an angled winner.
Moving like a gazelle. 🔥👟
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 4, 2024
Sabalenka did not look as confident and prepared at last year’s outdoor WTA Finals event in Cancun fraught with weather issues. She was narrowly holding on to the World No. 1 ranking for the first time in her career. Iga Swiatek gained it back after going undefeated last year at the WTA Finals.
This year, Sabalenka looks ready to win this event and hold on to the World No. 1 ranking for the long haul.
Qinwen Zheng defeats Elena Rybakina
Qinwhen Zheng held her composure despite frequent twists and turns in her three-set win over Elena Rybakina. Zheng has never beaten Rybakina who before today’s match at the WTA Finals owned a 2-0 head-to-head record.
Qinwen Zheng overcomes Rybakina for the 1st time, securing a 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-1 victory! 🙌
She puts herself in prime position to reach the knockout phase.#WTAFinalsRiyadh pic.twitter.com/h0db8pppob
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) November 4, 2024
Rybakina has not played much tennis after an extensive layoff since the US Open, admitting to hitting the practice court only a couple of weeks ago to prepare. In contrast, Zheng, the Olympic champion, has played well through the summer and fall.
Physical and mental fitness were the difference for Zheng who weathered a Rybakina comeback after taking a 4-1 lead in the first set.
