Tennis

WTA Finals: Aryna Sabalenka and Qinwen Zheng Score Round 2 Round Robin Wins

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By
wendioliveros
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wendioliveros Sports Editor

Wendi Oliveros is a diehard tennis fan that is known to set her clock at ridiculous hours to watch live action especially during the Australian Open. She is known for indulging in strawberries and cream during Wimbledon and has watched the US Open live several times.

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Sports Editor

Published12 hours ago on November 04, 2024

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Aryna Sabalenka, Qinwen Zheng

Aryna Sabalenka and Qinwen Zheng earned round-robin wins in Round 2 of the 2024 WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.  Sabalenka is now 2-0 defeating Zheng in Round 1 and Jasmine Paolini in Round 2.  Zheng won her first-ever WTA Finals match (and first career match) over Elena Rybakina.

Sabalenka advances to the semifinals.  She continues to be the favorite to win the event.  The indoor fast courts suit her game well.  Some believe that Coco Gauff who is athletic and a great hardcourt player may be the player who stands in her way.

Aryna Sabalenka defeats Jasmine Paolini

Jasmine Paolini put up a good fight but did not have the answers for Sabalenka’s massive serve and groundstrokes.  It is almost impossible to believe that a few years ago Sabalenka had a very inconsistent serve, frequently double-faulting.  She has not dropped a set and has set a dominant tone this year at the WTA Finals.

Sabalenka did not look as confident and prepared at last year’s outdoor WTA Finals event in Cancun fraught with weather issues.  She was narrowly holding on to the World No. 1 ranking for the first time in her career.  Iga Swiatek gained it back after going undefeated last year at the WTA Finals.

This year, Sabalenka looks ready to win this event and hold on to the World No. 1 ranking for the long haul.

Qinwen Zheng defeats Elena Rybakina

Qinwhen Zheng held her composure despite frequent twists and turns in her three-set win over Elena Rybakina.  Zheng has never beaten Rybakina who before today’s match at the WTA Finals owned a 2-0 head-to-head record.

Rybakina has not played much tennis after an extensive layoff since the US Open, admitting to hitting the practice court only a couple of weeks ago to prepare.  In contrast, Zheng, the Olympic champion, has played well through the summer and fall.

Physical and mental fitness were the difference for Zheng who weathered a Rybakina comeback after taking a 4-1 lead in the first set.