Aryna Sabalenka Defeats Jessica Pegula to Move Closer to WTA Finals Semifinals
Aryna Sabalenka delivered a strong performance at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, overcoming Jessica Pegula 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 after a thrilling three-set battle. This victory improved her record to 2-0 in the Steffi Graf Group, following an earlier win against Jasmine Paolini 6-3, 6-1.
The Belarusian player avenged her previous loss to Pegula in the Wuhan WTA 1000 semifinals last October. In the opening set, Sabalenka broke Pegula’s serve in the sixth game and led 5-2, but Pegula broke back before Sabalenka sealed it 6-4 in the 10th game.
Pegula shifted the momentum in the second set, scoring breaks in the third and seventh games to take it 6-2, forcing a decisive third set. Pegula again broke early for a 2-1 advantage, but Sabalenka responded with four straight games to lead 5-2. She then closed out the match on her first match point in the ninth game.
“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,” said Aryna Sabalenka.
Sabalenka now needs to win just one set against Coco Gauff in her final round-robin match to qualify for the semifinals.
Author’s Summary
Sabalenka’s fighting spirit and tactical shift helped her edge past Pegula, inching closer to the semifinals at the WTA Finals in Riyadh.