World number one Aryna Sabalenka achieved a hard-fought victory against Jessica Pegula, winning 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 in their round-robin match at the tournament in Riyadh. Defending champion Coco Gauff also showcased her talent with a commanding 6-3, 6-2 performance against Jasmine Paolini, effectively eliminating the Italian player from the competition.
Sabalenka, who is on a winning streak with two consecutive matches in the round-robin Group Steffi Graf, is inching closer to securing her place in the semi-finals. Both Gauff and Pegula, each holding one win, remain in contention for the last semifinal spot.
After her match, Sabalenka praised Pegula as an extraordinary competitor, reflecting on the challenge she posed. “She always pushed me to the limit… I was thinking, I’m gonna go after my shots,” Sabalenka stated, emphasizing her aggressive mindset during the match. Despite facing some hurdles, including double faults and Pegula’s early break in the third set, the Belarusian responded with powerful returns, eventually taking control of the match with two consecutive breaks.
Meanwhile, Gauff’s match was a marked improvement from her previous outing, where she struggled with 17 double faults. Against Paolini, she kept her errors in check and dominated right from the start, maintaining pressure throughout. Gauff quickly established a 3-0 lead, methodically breaking Paolini’s momentum with strategic cross-court shots.
With this victory, Gauff stressed the importance of the win for her tournament ambitions, saying, “I knew today’s win was important to keep myself in the tournament. If I lost, I would have been out.” The tournament continues to heat up, with world number two Iga Swiatek scheduled to face Amanda Anisimova on Wednesday, while Elena Rybakina will take on Madison Keys in Group Serena Williams.
With outstanding performances from both Sabalenka and Gauff, fans can look forward to more thrilling matches as these talented players compete fiercely for their opportunities in the semifinals. The potent blend of tenacity, skill, and rising competition in women’s tennis promises an exciting season ahead.