Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen moves into the last four of the WTA Finals, with a decisive victory over Jasmine Paolini. Meanwhile, Elena Rybakina scores a consolation win against the already-qualified Aryna Sabalenka.
China’s Zheng Qinwen celebrates her victory over Italy’s Jasmine Paolini during the WTA Finals Championship in Riyadh on Wednesday.
Riyadh: Zheng Qinwen continued to impress in her breakthrough season by advancing to the semi-finals of the WTA Finals in Riyadh on Wednesday. She secured a commanding victory over Jasmine Paolini, winning 6-1, 6-1 in just 67 minutes. This marks her 30th win in her last 35 matches, a testament to her outstanding form this season.
Zheng’s performance was nothing short of spectacular, dominating the match from start to finish and leaving no room for Paolini to mount a comeback. This win places Zheng in the semi-finals, where she will face tough competition as she aims to continue her remarkable run.
In a separate match, Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina managed to secure a consolation victory over the world No. 1, Aryna Sabalenka, despite having already been eliminated from the competition. Rybakina, who has struggled with injuries and health issues throughout the second half of the season, found her form just in time to deliver a 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 win.
Rybakina’s victory over Sabalenka is a significant morale boost for the world No. 5. After dealing with allergies, insomnia, and a back injury, this win marks a positive end to her season. Rybakina expressed her happiness with the result, noting the satisfaction of defeating the top-ranked player in the world. She shared a warm embrace with Sabalenka at the net, highlighting the sportsmanship and respect between the players.
The WTA Finals continue to showcase top-tier tennis, with Zheng Qinwen’s impressive performance and Rybakina’s resilient victory adding to the excitement. As the tournament progresses, fans eagerly anticipate the upcoming semi-final matches and the crowning of this year’s champion.
