Sakkari solidly prevailed over Pegula, while Sabalenka needed to come from behind Jabeur to enjoy victory
MADRID, 1 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Greek Maria Sakkari prevailed with sobriety and solidity in two sets (7-6, 7-6) over the American Jesica Pegula, while the Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka came from behind (3-6, 7-6 and 7-5) to win the victory against the Tunisian Ons Jabeur, on the first day of the WTA Finals, which are played in Fort Worth (Texas, United States).
Sakkari was able to take revenge on her ‘executioner’ at the Guadalajara tournament in Mexico, in a very close duel in which the Greek made the most of her positive streaks in both sets. The Greek was able to close the first set with 6-5 and a set point, but wasted the great opportunity and they went to the tiebreaker. She and she closed it out on the third set point with a hard-hitting, well-placed right hand.
With a very similar script, the second set began with a strong and firm Sakkari, who quickly made it 3-0. Pegula equalized and, after maximum equality, the Greek once again had the opportunity to win the match with 6-5 and two match points. But the American wanted to extend it, and again they went to the tie-break and, with three match points, the third time was the charm for Sakkari, who added her first point in group B.
In the second match of the day, Sabalenka sweated out a hard-fought win over Jabeur. The world number seven brought out the best version of herself to beat one of the favorites for the title, coming back from a placid first set for the Tunisian. After the cyclone of the number two in the ranking in the first round, the Belarusian confidently started the second, where she placed the 3-0, but Jabeur forced until 5-4, but Sabalenka could not close it there, and needed the tiebreaker to take the duel to the third set.
The third and final set was much more even, until Jabeur got 2-4. But Sabalenka reacted in time and won three games in a row, breaking the Tunisian’s serve. Finally, he completed his majestic comeback with a 7-5 to also add his first point and lead group B. This Tuesday the matches of the other group start with the debut of the number one in the world, the Polish Iga Swiatek, against the Russian Daria Kasatkina, and the duel between the American Coco Gauff and the French Caroline García.