Highlights: Sabalenka Secures Spot in WTA Finals Semis with Win Over Paolini

Aryna Sabalenka has reached the semi-finals of the WTA Finals with a straight-set win, 6-3, 7-5, over Jasmine Paolini, while Zheng Qinwen eliminated Elena Rybakina’s chances of advancing in Riyadh on Monday. By securing two round-robin victories in Saudi Arabia, Sabalenka clinched a spot in the final four as the Purple Group winner.

The top-seeded Belarusian is now just one win away from securing the year-end number one ranking, which she is contesting with Iga Swiatek. Despite trailing 0-2 in the second set and facing two set points at 4-5, Sabalenka rallied to defeat Italy’s Paolini. She has now won 22 of her last 23 matches on the tour.

Reflecting on the match, Sabalenka noted that the second set was challenging but emphasized her determination to stay aggressive and keep fighting for the win. She admitted that midway through the set, she began considering the possibility of a third set but quickly refocused to close out the match in two.