2024 WTA Finals Day 4: Swiatek v Gauff; Sabalenka Reaches SFs
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One of the four semifinal spots is already locked up three days into the WTA Finals. Aryna Sabalenka was the first to reach the last four with a 6-3, 7-5 win Monday over Jasmine Paolini in the round robin.
“I think the intensity she put in and the way she’s moving, and she’s playing quite aggressive, flat, deep balls, so you always have to stay low, and it’s kind of like created extra tension,” Sabalenka said. “Physically it’s really difficult playing against her.”
Sabalenka in two matches hasn’t dropped a set as she has won 21 of her last 22 matches including the US Open. The Belarussian now stands just one round robin win on Wednesday from wrapping up the year-end No. 1 ranking.
“Well, it’s definitely, it’s tricky, but you know, we’re chasing here number one,” Sabalenka said to the WTA. “So I’m gonna just keep that in mind, and I want to go for all of the points possible. And that’s my motivation right now, and yeah, advancement.”
Zheng Qinwen got on the board with a 3-set win over Elena Rybakina 7-6 (4), 3-6, 6-1. The loss eliminates Rybakina from the semifinals while Qinwen will face Paolini on Wednesday with the winner moving on to the weekend.
Tuesday will see the big showdown between Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff. Swiatek leads 11-1 but Gauff has won 10 of her last 11 since changing her coaching team.
“Always playing her is tough,” Gauff said Sunday. “I think if I just play my game, I’ll just try to do that and hopefully come out with a win.”
Barbora Krejcikova will also face Jessica Pegula. Pegula will be eliminated with a straight set loss.
WTA FINALS RIYADH TUESDAY SCHEDULE
1 p.m. local time
[2] G. Dabrowski (CAN) / E. Routliffe (NZL) vs [4] S. Errani (ITA) / J. Paolini (ITA)
Not before 3:30 p.m.
[2] C. Gauff (USA) vs [3] I. Swiatek (POL)
Not before 6 p.m.
[8] B. Krejcikova (CZE) vs [6] J. Pegula (USA)
[7] Q. Zheng (CHN) / Y. Yang (CHN) vs [4] S. Aoyama (JPN) / E. Shibahara (JPN)
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