Aryna Sabalenka was made to work hard by Karolina Muchova before getting her WTA Finals campaign off to a winning start, while Mirra Andreeva cruised past Elina Svitolina in the second Group 2 match on Monday.
The Belarusian, making her sixth consecutive appearance at the season-ending tournament, faced a stern test from Muchova, who was making her debut at the event after an impressive season. Both players produced some of their best tennis in a closely contested opening match.
Sabalenka lost her serve early but fought back to break Muchova when the Czech was serving for the opening set at 5-4. The world No. 1 then dominated the ensuing tie-break, winning it 7-2 to take the first set after nearly an hour of play. Sabalenka appeared to have taken control in the second set when she moved 4-2 ahead and looked on course for a comfortable victory. However, Muchova refused to give in and broke back when the Belarusian was serving for the match, levelling the score at 5-5.
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Muchova, whose season included titles in Doha and Bad Homburg as well as a run to the Wimbledon final, could not sustain her fightback. Sabalenka broke once again before serving out the match to secure a 7-6 (7-2), 7-5 victory. Sabalenka's serve was not at its best as she produced seven double faults against four aces. However, she landed 59 per cent of her first serves and won 33 of the 44 points played behind them.
"She's such an incredible player. Always tough battles. I was just trying to stay calm and focus point by point. She can come back any time. You have to be focused from beginning till the end," Sabalenka said during her on-court interview.
With world No. 1 Elena Rybakina withdrawing from the tournament due to illness, Sabalenka is among the leading contenders for the title.
The Belarusian will also be keen to end the year on a high after a frustrating season. For the first time since 2022, she has failed to win a Grand Slam singles title, having lost the Australian Open and US Open finals to Rybakina. She also surrendered the world No. 1 ranking, while her last title came at the Miami Open in March.
Andreeva ease past Svitolina
Meanwhile, French Open champion Mirra Andreeva made a comfortable start to her campaign, easing past Svitolina 6-4, 6-0 in the second match of the day. Andreeva secured a single break in the opening set before stepping up her game in the second, handing Svitolina a bagel to seal the victory.
The teenager saved all six break points she faced, including four in the final game, and struck nine winners against 12 unforced errors during the 77-minute contest. Andreeva saved all six break points she faced - four of which came in the final game - and hit nine winners to 12 unforced errors in a 77-minute victory.
The Russian will face Sabalenka in her second round robin game on Wednesday, while Svitolina will play Muchova
