Aryna Sabalenka Beats Jasmine Paolini, Closes in on WTA Title

Aryna Sabalenka defeated Jasmine Paolini in straight sets at the WTA Finals.

Aryna Sabalenka defeated Jasmine Paolini in the WTA Finals on Monday. / Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

The one-seed Aryna Sabalenka and four-seed Jasmine Paolini entered Monday's Group Stage match at the WTA Finals with one win under their belts and a clear path to the title.

While Sabalenka was seemingly the overwhelming favorite, she had split her four prior matches against Paolini. Despite a fiery comeback in the second set, Sabalenka defeated Paolini in straight sets: 6-3, 7-5.

mind reader in the making...🔮@JasminePaolini | #WTAFinalsRiyadh pic.twitter.com/8hP6U4Zxn7

— wta (@WTA) November 4, 2024

After the match, Sabalenka was humble and gracious as always. She deflected praise and thanked her team. She also joked with the crowd for cheering on Paolini during her comeback in the second set.

With today's victory, Sabalenka improved to 2-0 in Purple Group Play. Thanks to Qinwen Zheng's win over Elena Rybakina, Sabalenka guarantees herself finishing at the top of the group. That makes her the first player to qualify for the semifinals in Riyadh this year.

The definition of a FIGHTER 😤😤😤😤

The World No.1 @SabalenkaA is the first player into the #WTAFinalsRiyadh semifinals after defeating Paolini 6-3, 7-5! pic.twitter.com/UhIi6NK45m

— wta (@WTA) November 4, 2024

Even better for the three-time Grand Slam champion, if she wins one more match this week, or if Iga Swiatek loses a match, then Sabalenka clinches the year-end World No. 1 spot. Swiatek can still clinch the top spot, but she must go undefeated and Sabalenka must lose out.

Swiatek will face Coco Gauff on Wednesday and Sabalenka will face Rybakina on Thursday. Paolini and Zheng will meet on Wednesday to determine second place in the group and the second qualifier.

Let's hear it for TEAM TIGER! 🐯@SabalenkaA | #WTAFinalsRiyadh pic.twitter.com/Pmw4lYTzpM

— wta (@WTA) November 4, 2024

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