Last Updated: November 04, 2023, 03:30 IST
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Topranked Aryna Sabalenka reached the semifinals for the second consecutive yr on the WTA Finals, holding on to defeat Elena Rybakina 62, 36, 63 on Friday in a roundrobin match that was repeatedly interrupted by rain the night time earlier than till being suspended late within the second set.
CANCUN, Mexico: Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka reached the semifinals for the second consecutive yr on the WTA Finals, holding on to defeat Elena Rybakina 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 on Friday in a spherical-robin match that was repeatedly interrupted by rain the night time earlier than till being suspended late within the second set.
Play was halted Thursday night time with Rybakina about to attempt to power a 3rd set by serving for the second at 5-3. When they resumed, she did simply that. But Sabalenka got here via within the decider — though not with no little bit of rigidity within the final recreation: She wanted to avoid wasting 5 break factors, after which required 4 match factors to finish it.
This was a rematch of the Australian Open last in January, additionally received by Sabalenka.
Sabalenka went 2-1 in spherical-robin play on the season-ending championship and superior because the second-place finisher in her group. Jessica Pegula, who beat Maria Sakkari on Thursday to go 3-0, completed atop their group.
Rybakina was eradicated with Friday’s loss.
There have been a half-dozen rain delays throughout Thursday’s cease-begin-cease motion.
The two semifinalists from the opposite singles group have been scheduled for later Friday, with U.S. Open champion Coco Gauff taking over Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova, and 4-time main champ Iga Swiatek assembly three-time Slam runner-up Ons Jabeur.
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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)
