MINSK, 1 November (BelTA) – World number one Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus suffered her first loss at the GNP Seguros WTA Finals Cancun to world number 5 Jessica Pegula of the United States, 4-6, 3-6, BelTA has learned.
The Bacalar Group opener Aryna Sabalenka eased past world number 9 Maria Sakkari of Greece, 6-0, 6-1. In the third match the Belarusian will face world number 4 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan who first lost to Jessica Pegula, 5-7, 2-6 and then defeated Maria Sakkari, 6-0, 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (7-2).
In the Chetumal Group Poland’s world number 2 Iga Swiatek beat world number 6 Marketa Vondrousova of the Czech Republic, 7-6 (7-3), 6-0, while world number 3 Coco Gauff of the United States saw off Tunisia’s world number 7 Ons Jabeur, 6-0, 6-1.
Two best players from each group will advance to the semifinal, with the deciding match scheduled for 5 November. This year, total prize money for singles and doubles will be $9 million.
The WTA Finals have been held since 1971. Last season the winner was France’s Caroline Garcia who beat Aryna Sabalenka in the final.
