“Sabalenka’s power and patience collided perfectly, turning a tense battle into a statement victory.”
Aryna Sabalenka showed her power and determination to defeat Jessica Pegula 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 at the WTA Finals in Riyadh. The match lasted nearly two hours and kept the crowd on edge with its momentum swings and long baseline rallies.
Sabalenka started strong, taking the first set with aggressive groundstrokes and confident serving. Pegula fought back in the second, using sharp returns and clever placement to expose gaps in Sabalenka’s game. In the final set, the world No. 1 raised her level again, breaking Pegula twice and keeping firm control until the end.
The win keeps Sabalenka unbeaten in her group and highlights her ability to stay composed under pressure. Her powerful forehand and mental toughness once again made the difference when it mattered most. She now leads their head-to-head 9–3, proving her edge in this growing rivalry.
With this victory, Sabalenka moves closer to the semifinals and strengthens her position as world number one. Pegula, with one win and one loss, must now win her final match to stay in contention.