Aryna Sabalenka was all business in her opening WTA Finals match as the Belarusian tennis star routed eighth-ranked Jasmine Paolini 6-3 6-1 in just an hour and 10 minutes of play.
The world No. 1 kicked off her fifth WTA Finals appearance in style, breaking Paolini right out of the gate and opening a 3-0 lead. While the Italian tennis star managed to get the break back in the seventh game, the Belarusian remained fully unfazed, breaking the 2024 Wimbledon finalist once again for a 5-3 lead before closing out the first set on her serve in the following game.
With the first set in her bag, Sabalenka also got off to a lightning start to the second set as she took the opening four games. Up by a set and two breaks, the four-time Grand Slam champion took Paolini's serve again in the seventh game to complete her dominant two-set win.
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Sabalenka put on display what she preached in her pre-tournament presser
Before kicking off her campaign in Riyadh, Sabalenka insisted that she learned how to deal better with her emotions throughout the year.
"There was terrible control over my emotions. I think the main lesson that I learned is that no matter what, doesn't matter how I feel, how frustrated I am inside, I still have to try to stay calm and try to think clear, just try to focus on the plan that I have for the match. No matter what, stay in control," the 27-year-old admitted.
Yesterday, the Belarusian tennis star received her Year-End No. 1 trophy.
On Tuesday, Sabalenka will return to the court and play against the winner of the match between Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula.
