The season-ending event sees Sabalenka and Swiatek battle for year-end world No. 1 for the second year in a row

Aryna Sabalenka reached the semifinals of the WTA Finals with a 6-3, 7-5 win over Jasmine Paolini on Monday for a second straight victory in the group stage.

(Reuters) -World number one Aryna Sabalenka secured a semi-final berth at the WTA Finals by beating Italian fourth seed Jasmine Paolini 6-3 7-5 on Monday to stay unbeaten in the purple round-robin group.

In her most recent match on September 30, 2024, Sabalenka won 6-2, 6-2 against Ashlyn Krueger in the Round of 32 of the China Open. In her last match, which was slated for August 29, 2024 at the US Open, Rybakina was eliminated against Jessika Ponchet via walkover.

Aryna Sabalenka and Qinwen Zheng scored wins in the second day of round robin play at the 2024 WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Aryna Sabalenka is the first player to secure a semi-final spot at the WTA Finals but her victory over Jasmine Paolini spells the end of the road for Elena Rybakina.

Aryna Sabalenka overcame a scare late in the second set to oust Jasmine Paolini in straight sets 6-3 7-5 at the WTA Finals and became the first player to seal a semifinal spot in Riyadh.

Australian Open and US Open champion Sabalenka also won her opening match in Riyadh against seventh seed Zheng. The Chinese player and Paolini, with 1-1 records, both remain in contention for the semis and meet on Nov 6. Swiatek is the only player who can overtake Sabalenka in the rankings.

Aryna Sabalenka (No. 1) will take on fellow top-10 resident Jasmine Paolini (No. 4) in the Round Robin at the Akron WTA Finals Guadalajara on Monday, November 4.Sabalenka’s last match was a

Aryna Sabalenka withstands Jasmine Paolini fight-back to seal WTA Finals progress - The World No 1 is through to the last four after a a 6-3 7-5 victory