Press releases

5 Nov 2024

WTA Finals: Sabalenka takes out Paolini to secure semifinal berth

Aryna Sabalenka. Photo courtesy of Belarus' NOC

MINSK, 5 November (BelTA) – World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus secured her spot in the WTA Finals semifinal in Riyadh after defeating No.4 Jasmine Paolini of Italy, 6-3, 7-5 on Monday, BelTA has learned.

On the opening day the Belarusian defeated China’s Zheng Qinwen (World No.7), 6-3, 6-4, while Jasmine Paolini proved stronger against Kazakhstan’s world number 5 Elena Rybakina, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4.

On Monday the Chinese beat Elena Rybakina, 7-6 (7-4), 3-6, 6-1. On 6 November Aryna Sabalenka will play Elena Rybakina.

In the Orange group Poland’s world number 2 Iga Swiatek battled through World No.13 Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2. World No.3 Coco Gauff of the United States defeated the USA’s World No.6 Jessica Pegula, 6-3, 6-2.

The group stage will be over on 7 November, with two best athletes from each group advancing to the semifinal. The final will be played on 9 November.

The 2024 WTA Finals will set a record-setting prize pool of $15.25 million. The singles champion will pocket no less than $4.45 million. If a player goes unbeaten towards the title, they could earn as much as $5.15 million and 1,500 points. A year ago, Iga Swiatek beat Jessica Pegula 6-1, 6-0 in the final.