Sabalenka Dominates Paolini, Gauff Struggles with Double Faults at WTA Finals

Tennis world number one Aryna Sabalenka kicked off her WTA Finals campaign with a dominant 6-3 6-1 win over Jasmine Paolini, while defending champion Coco Gauff struggled with double faults as Jessica Pegula beat her 6-3 6-7(4) 6-2 in Riyadh. Sabalenka, who won the US Open this year, landed 11 aces and frustrated Paolini with powerful returns near the sidelines, with the Italian growing tired as the match progressed.

Key Takeaways:

• Sabalenka won her 500th career match, securing a 6-3 6-1 victory over Paolini.
• The Belarusian landed 11 aces and frustrated Paolini with powerful returns near the sidelines.
• Gauff struggled with double faults, committing 17 throughout the match against Pegula.
• Pegula secured a 6-3 6-7(4) 6-2 win over Gauff, despite the American's efforts in the second set.
• Sabalenka's backhand across the court helped her secure her first break, going 2-0 up early in the match.
• Paolini's low shots down the middle troubled Sabalenka, who responded with awkward forehand returns that hit the net twice.
• Sabalenka's focus and calmness led her to secure a 6-3 first set victory, before winning the next four games to build a 4-0 lead in the second set.
• Gauff's struggles with double faults and forehand unforced errors led to her loss against Pegula.
• Pegula managed to hold her serve to go 4-2 up, before Gauff broke back to make it 5-4 in the first set.
• Gauff secured just 21 points in her favor on Pegula's serve throughout the first set.

Statistics:

• Sabalenka won 11 aces in her match against Paolini.
• Gauff committed 17 double faults throughout the match against Pegula.
• Pegula secured 6-3 6-7(4) 6-2 win over Gauff.
• Gauff made 75 unforced errors across the match against Pegula.
• Pegula managed to hold her serve 11 times, converting 5 break points against Gauff's 2.

Sources:

• Reuters
• Getty Images for WTA