Aryna Sabalenka began her WTA Finals campaign with a hard-fought victory over Karolina Muchova, battling not only her opponent but also her own inconsistent serve. The world number two secured a 7-6 (7-2), 7-5 win in the first group two match, despite struggling with her delivery throughout the contest.
Frustration and Resilience
Sabalenka, who has reached the WTA Finals showpiece in 2022 and 2025, is aiming to claim the season-ending title for the first time in her sixth appearance. With world number one Elena Rybakina withdrawing on the eve of the tournament, Sabalenka is arguably the favourite, especially given her success at Indian Wells earlier this year. However, she cut a frustrated figure at times, though she managed to keep her emotions in check and gradually found her rhythm, particularly with her forehand.
Her serve, however, remained erratic. Sabalenka produced seven double faults to just four aces, landed only 59% of her first serves, and won 33 of 44 points behind it. "It was a bit tricky with the sun [and] with the shade," Sabalenka told Sky Sports. "Sometimes I had to adjust my toss, sometimes I had to serve blind, but it's all part of the game."
A Tricky Opponent
Muchova, the Wimbledon runner-up, posed a stern test. She was the only player in the draw with a winning head-to-head record against Sabalenka. The Czech claimed the first break of the opening set, but Sabalenka broke straight back, a pattern that repeated throughout the match. Muchova served for the first set but a string of errors forced a tie-break, which Sabalenka dominated. The second set was a topsy-turvy affair featuring five breaks of serve, but Sabalenka eventually served out the match on her second attempt.
Season of Highs and Lows
By her high standards, Sabalenka has had a strange season. For the first time since 2022, she has not won a Grand Slam singles title, having lost the Australian Open and US Open finals to Rybakina. Her last title came in Miami in March. After winning just one of her three matches during the Asian swing, she took a break before the finals. Despite the lack of silverware, Sabalenka remains a formidable force, and this gritty win underscores her determination to end the year on a high.
Looking Ahead
In other action, French Open champion Mirra Andreeva was set to face Ukraine's Elina Svitolina later on Monday. Meanwhile, at the Stockholm Open, Britain's Cameron Norrie defeated Australian James Duckworth 7-5, 6-0 to reach the second round, where he will face top seed Taylor Fritz. Fellow Briton Toby Samuel also advanced with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Leo Borg, son of tennis legend Bjorn Borg.
As the WTA Finals progress, all eyes will be on Sabalenka to see if she can overcome her serving struggles and claim the one major title that has eluded her.
