World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka showcased her dominance in a resounding victory over No.8 seed Maria Sakkari during their round-robin opener at the GNP Seguros WTA Finals Cancun. In their 10th encounter, Sabalenka needed just 74 minutes to secure a 6-0, 6-1 win.
The victory propelled Sabalenka to the top of the Bacalar Group, sharing the spot with Jessica Pegula, who won her opener against Elena Rybakina in straight sets. This strong start puts Sabalenka in an excellent position as she aims to make back-to-back finals at the year-end championships, a feat not achieved since Serena Williams in 2013 and 2014. Additionally, she is determined to retain her No.1 ranking, fending off competition from Iga Swiatek.
Sabalenka’s calm and composed performance indicated no signs of nerves or pressure. She saved four break points in the first set to establish a 3-0 lead before wrapping up the set in just 37 minutes, handing Sakkari her first 6-0 whitewash of the season.
Sakkari, on the other hand, struggled to find her rhythm and admitted to not feeling her best on the court. She attributed this to limited practice time after a break following her performances in China.
In the second set, Sabalenka continued her controlled aggression, earning three match points at 6-0, 5-0. Although Sakkari managed to avoid a bagel by holding her serve, Sabalenka secured the win confidently.
Despite the scoreline, Sabalenka acknowledged the challenges posed by Sakkari, a renowned fighter on the court. Her victory sends a clear message to her competitors, establishing her as a formidable contender in the GNP Seguros WTA Finals Cancun.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Aryna Sabalenka as she seeks to maintain her stellar form and clinch the prestigious year-end No.1 ranking.
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