Aryna Sabalenka Aims for Year-End No. 1 Ranking at WTA Finals

Aryna Sabalenka, the current World No. 1, is on the cusp of securing the year-end No. 1 ranking for the first time in her career as she competes in the 2024 WTA Finals in Riyadh. Sabalenka’s path to this milestone involves winning her upcoming matches, with her next challenge being against Jasmine Paolini in the round-robin stage of the tournament.

Sabalenka has been in impressive form, having won six consecutive matches and only losing one of her last 22. Her recent victory over Qinwen Zheng in the WTA Finals, where she won 6-3 6-4, showcased her dominance, particularly on her serve, where she conceded no breaks and saved one break point.

The match against Paolini is crucial, as two more wins would virtually secure Sabalenka’s position as the year-end No. 1. The head-to-head between Sabalenka and Paolini is evenly split at 2-2, with their last encounter in Beijing in 2023 resulting in a win for Sabalenka. Paolini, however, has had a standout season, reaching the Wimbledon finals and winning a title in Dubai, making her a formidable opponent.

The match is scheduled for Monday, November 4, at 10:00 a.m. EST and will be broadcast on the Tennis Channel for fans in the United States. The outcome of this match, along with the earlier match between Elena Rybakina and Qinwen Zheng, will significantly impact the advancement scenarios for all players in the Purple Group.

Sabalenka’s performance this year has been stellar, with a record of 54-12 and four singles titles, including wins at the Australian Open and the US Open. Her aggressive playing style and strong serve are expected to be key factors in her match against Paolini, who is known for her robust forehand and tenacious defense).