Arabic version: سابالينكا تستهل نهائيات رابطة اللاعبات المحترفات بفوز على موخوفا

According to BBC News, Aryna Sabalenka began her WTA Finals campaign with a 7-6 (7-2) 7-5 victory over Karolina Muchova in the first group-two match. The world number two recovered from a break down in both sets to beat the Czech, who was the only player in the field with a winning head-to-head record against her.

Sabalenka, making her sixth appearance at the season-ending event, is seeking the title for the first time. With world number one Elena Rybakina withdrawing on the eve of the competition, Sabalenka is described as a leading contender on the courts where she won the Indian Wells title in March. She reached the WTA Finals showpiece in 2022 and 2025.

The Belarusian was frustrated at times and her serve was inconsistent, producing seven double faults and four aces. She landed 59% of her first serves and won 33 of 44 points behind them. Sabalenka said the changing conditions made serving difficult: “It was a bit tricky with the sun [and] with the shade. Sometimes I had to adjust my toss, sometimes I had to serve blind, but it’s all part of the game.”

Muchova broke first in the opening set and later served for it, but errors sent the set to a tie-break, where Sabalenka took control. The second set contained five breaks of serve, with Sabalenka eventually serving out the match on her second attempt. Later on Monday, French Open champion Mirra Andreeva beat Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina 6-4 6-0, saving all six break points she faced in a 77-minute win.