RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka won in straight sets against Zheng Qinwen in the opening match of the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
Sabalenka won 6-3, 6-4 to bring her perfect record against the Chinese player to 5-0. It was also his 21st victory in his last 22 matches.
Seventh-seeded Zheng lost the last three matches as his concentration waned and also appeared to have lost track of the score. After hitting a backhand long on match point, Zheng walked to her chair on what she seemed to think was a change of ends instead of going to the net for the traditional handshake.
She smiled and raised her hand in apology after realizing before returning to the center.
This victory also allows Sabalenka to finish the year on top. The Belarusian player only needs to win two of her three group matches to ensure she retains first place.
Fourth-seeded Jasmine Paolini of Italy beat fifth-seeded Elena Rybakina in the other Purple Group match.
Paolini, who is having a breakout season, won a close match 7-6 (5), 6-4 in her debut at the year-end tournament for the top eight players.
American players Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula will face off in Group Orange on Sunday after second seed Iga Swiatek takes on Barbora Krejcikova.
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AP Tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
