WTA Finals Begin: Top Players Face Off in Riyadh

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — The WTA Finals kicked off on Saturday, featuring the top-ranked players in women’s tennis. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka faces No. 8 Jasmine Paolini, while defending champion Coco Gauff competes against fellow American Jessica Pegula.

As the tournament continues, the Stefanie Graf Group and the Liezel Huber Group take center stage. Gauff and Sabalenka will play their opening matches, continuing a thrilling season for both players. Sabalenka looks to solidify her ranking after a successful year and four consecutive wins over Paolini.

In the singles competition, the stakes are high with $15.5 million in prize money and up to 1,500 ranking points available for undefeated champions. Gauff recently regained her confidence at the Wuhan Open, where she claimed her third WTA 1000 title.

Paolini, on the other hand, has fought hard to overcome past defeats, including taking down Iga Swiatek, the former world No. 1. Paolini’s resilience can’t be underestimated, especially after her recent performances.

The matches promise quality tennis, with Sabalenka boasting a strong 5-2 head-to-head lead against Paolini and Gauff holding a 4-3 advantage over Pegula. Each match holds its excitement, as all players are determined to close out the season strong.

Siniakova, another top contender, has 32 career titles under her belt and seeks to add a WTA Finals trophy to her collection. The competition will reach a climax on November 8 when champions are crowned, concluding the 2025 season.