RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Aryna Sabalenka reached the semifinals of the WTA Finals with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Jasmine Paolini on Monday for a second straight group stage victory.
Top-ranked Sabalenka advanced in the first set after taking a 4-0 lead, then saved two set points in the second to advance to the year-end tournament for the top eight players.
Sabalenka will face already eliminated Elena Rybakina on Wednesday in the final group match of the week.
Sabalenka has won 22 of her last 23 matches and three of the last four tournaments she has played.
Another round robin victory will secure him the top spot in the year-end rankings for the first time in his career.
In the other Purple Group match, Zheng Qinwen defeated Rybakina 7-6 (4) 3-6, 6-1 to maintain her chances of advancing.
It was Zheng’s first career victory against Rybakina in three tries.
Rybakina is 0-2 and cannot advance to the semifinals. She lost to Paolini on Saturday, while Sabalenka scored a straight-sets victory over Zheng in the opening match in Saudi Arabia.
Zheng and Paolini will face off on Wednesday, with the winner advancing to her first WTA Finals semi-final to face group winner Orange.
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