WTA final Riyadh: Aryna Sabalenka and Wimbledon runner-up Jasmine Paolini get off to a successful start | Tennis News

Aryna Sabalenka began her year-end quest for the No. 1 ranking with a stunning 6-3, 6-4 victory over China's Zheng Qinwen in her first round-robin match at the WTA Finals in Riyadh on Saturday.

The Australian and US Open champion Sabalenka, who is leading the first women's professional tennis tournament in Saudi Arabia, had far too much power at crucial points in their fourth meeting in 2024 for Zheng to remain perfect.

“She is such a great player. We always have great fights,” Sabalenka said.

“She plays aggressive tennis. She forced me to step in and try. That’s why I’m bringing my best tennis and I’m super happy about my first win.”

In a close encounter, Sabalenka started to take a 3-2 lead after converting her second break point of the game and she played out the set.

The second set was tied 4-4 when the World No. 1 broke Zheng's serve again and took advantage to seal the match and secure her first win in the Purple Group.

Winning three round-robin games or reaching the final are some of the ways Sabalenka can retain her top spot this year, while her closest challenger Iga Swiatek will need to successfully defend the trophy to have any chance of beating her to overtake.

“It would mean everything to me. It’s one of my dreams,” Sabalenka said of potentially winning the title after losing in the final, which took place in Fort Worth, Texas, in 2022.

“I've worked really hard over the last few years. I really hope I can hold this beautiful trophy in my hands one day.”

Story from the tape

Second at the French Open and Wimbledon Jasmine Paolini defeated 2022 All England Club champion Elena Rybakina 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 in the second Purple Group competition.

Facing Rybakina for the first time since her victory in the French Open quarter-finals, Paolini broke out first and took a 4-2 lead before the world No. 5 fought her way back into the game.

A close opening set came down to a tie-break, from which Paolini emerged victorious and remained in control in the second set to secure her first career win at the WTA Finals.

Story from the tape

Purple Group Rankings

What happens on Sunday at the WTA Finals?

World No. 2 Swiatek will face Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova in the Orange Group on Sunday before Coco Gauff meets fellow American Jessica Pegula.

Zverev will face home favorite Humbert in the final in Paris

Alexander Zverev secured his place in the final of the Paris Masters by defeating Holger Rune in straight sets.

The German reached his first hardcourt final of the season with a 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) win over 2022 champions Rune in one hour and 47 minutes.

“I feel like I made it a little difficult for myself, but he (Rune) is a champion,” Zverev said. “It's probably his favorite tournament and favorite venue, but I'm happy to be in my second final here. I look forward to it.”

Zverev broke in the fourth game of the first set and saved two break points in the fifth set en route to winning the first set.

A break seemed to be enough in the second round as well, but the world No. 3 failed to close out the game as she led 5-4.

However, he recovered to win the tiebreak and reach his second Paris Masters final after being beaten by Daniil Medvedev in the 2020 final.

“I feel like I made it a little difficult for myself, but he is a champion,” Zverev told the ATP website.

“It's probably his favorite tournament and favorite venue, but I'm happy to be in my second final here. I look forward to it.”

Zverev will compete against each other Ugo Humbert in the final after the Frenchman defeated Karen Khachanov 6:7 (6:8), 6:4, 6:3.

Humbert, who eliminated Carlos Alcaraz at the start of the tournament, became the fifth Frenchman to reach the final of the Paris Masters.

“It's great to do this in Paris at my favorite tournament. It’s a dream,” Humbert said.

“Compared to the previous games, it was a bit difficult. I felt a little more pressure and after losing the first set I tried to enjoy the moment and be with the audience. I did very well and I’m super proud.”

Watch Katie Boulter on Sky Sports Tennis

British number 1 Katie Boulter will play Diana Shnaider in the final of the Hong Kong Tennis Open on Sunday from 8 p.m.

• WTA Finals Riyadh – (November 2-9)
• Belgrade Open – ATP 250 (November 3-9)
• Moselle Open, Metz – ATP 250 (November 3rd – 9th)
• Nitto ATP Finals, Turin – (November 10-17)

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