Aryna Sabalenka defeated Karolina Muchova in the first round of the WTA Finals with a score of 7-6 (7-2) 7-5. Sabalenka was down a break in both sets but managed to recover and ultimately prevail.
Sabalenka committed seven double faults and four aces in the match. She hit 59 per cent first serves and won 33 of 44 points on her first serve. The world number two is making her sixth appearance at the WTA Finals and is attempting to win the title for the first time.
Muchova was the Wimbledon finalist and the only player at the tournament with a positive head-to-head record against Sabalenka. Muchova made the first break in the first set and then served for the set, but a string of errors sent the set to a tie-break. The second set featured five breaks, and Sabalenka closed out the match on her second serve.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Sabalenka said it was a bit awkward due to the sun and shadows. At times, she had to adjust her toss and serve blind.
Elena Rybakina, the world number one, withdrew before the competition. Sabalenka won the title in Indian Wells in March, and her last title was in Miami in March. For the first time since 2022, she has not won a Grand Slam title in singles, losing the Australian Open and US Open finals to Rybakina. After one win in three matches during the Asian tour, she took a break before the season-ending tournament.
In the other match, Mirra Andreeva beat Elina Svitolina 6-4 6-0. Andreeva, who won the French Open, recovered from seven consecutive games against Svitolina and saved all six break points. She saved four of the six break points in the final game. In her 77-minute victory, she hit nine winners and made 12 unforced errors. Andreeva beat Sabalenka in the Indian Wells final in 2025.
In Stockholm, Cameron Norrie beat James Duckworth 7-5 6-0 in the first round of the Stockholm Open. Norrie will play first seed Taylor Fritz in the next round. Toby Samuel beat Leo Borg 6-3 6-2 at the same tournament. Leo Borg is the son of Bjorn Borg, the 11-time Grand Slam singles champion.
