Tue Nov 05 09:40:00 UTC 2024: ## Sabalenka Dominates in WTA Finals Opener, Sets Sight on Year-End No. 1 Ranking
**RIYADH, Saudi Arabia** – Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka kicked off the WTA Finals in style, cruising to a straight-set victory over Zheng Qinwen on Saturday. The Belarusian star, riding a wave of recent success, dominated the match, winning 6-3, 6-4 to extend her perfect record against the Chinese player to 5-0.
Sabalenka’s victory, her 21st in her last 22 matches, puts her in a prime position to end the year at the top of the rankings. She only needs to win two of her three group matches to secure the No. 1 spot.
In the other Purple Group match, Jasmine Paolini of Italy pulled off a surprise upset, defeating fifth-seeded Elena Rybakina 7-6 (5), 6-4. The Italian, enjoying a breakout season, edged out the Kazakh in a tightly contested match on her debut at the year-end tournament.
The action continues on Sunday with the Orange Group matches, featuring a showdown between American stars Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula. Second-seeded Iga Swiatek will face Barbora Krejcikova in the other match of the group.
First Piper 