Gauff v Pegula; Sabalenka, Paolini Winners

Top seed and tournament favorite Aryna Sabalenka eased to her fourth win of the season over Zheng Qinwen with a 6-3, 6-4 victory.

The US Open champion has now won 21 of her last 22 matches and stands two wins away from locking up her first-ever year-end No. 1.

“I’m super happy with the win, especially against Qinwen,” Sabalenka said after. “It’s always tough matches, tough battles against her, and I’m really, I’m really glad I was able to finish this match in straight sets.”

Later, Jasmine Paolini made the most of her WTA Finals debut dumping Elena Rybakina in straight sets 7-6(5), 6-4.

“I didn’t know what to expect too much, because she’s not playing since [US Open],” Paolini said to the WTA. “But I knew that here she’s going to serve very well. So I was ready to fight, especially on my service game, trying to be every service game focused, and trying to be close in the score. And I said to myself, when you have the occasion, you have to try to break her.”

On Monday, Sabalenka will take on Paolini, Rybakina will face Qinwen.

Day 2 sees action from the stronger Orange Group with Coco Gauff dueling Jessica Pegula and Iga Swiatek opens her title defense against Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova.

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