Pegula handles top-ranked Sabalenka; WTA Finals record improves to 2-0

CANCUN, Mexico — Jessica Pegula beat world No. 1 Alina Sabalon 6-4, 6-3 at the GNP Seguros WTA Year-End Finals in Cancun on Tuesday. Aryna Sabalenka, this was her third victory over the top-ranked player this year.

Pegula defeated Iga Swiatek in Montreal and the Fed Cup in Sydney earlier this year.

For Sabalenka, the battle with Swiatek for the year-end top spot intensifies.

WTA Finals: Score | Draw | Order of Play

Pegula is the only undefeated player in the Baccarat division with a 2-0 record after suffering an 0-3 singles drought at last year’s WTA Finals in Fort Worth, while Sabalenka fell to 1-1 . If Elena Rybakina can beat Sakkari in the night game, Pegula will claim the group title and advance to Saturday’s semifinals.

It was another breakthrough for the 29-year-old American. She had lost four of her five previous matches against Sabalenka. Pegula improved to 49-0 on the year after winning the first set and has an impressive 7-4 record against top 10 opponents. Pegula is the first American since Sloan Stephens in 2018 to score five consecutive top-10 wins.

Sabalenka struggled to save two break points in the first set, but after 2 draws, Pegula broke serve. Two double faults allowed Sabalenka to maintain the score at love-40, and a wide forehand gave Pegula a substantial lead for the first time.

When Sabalenka was serving at 2-4, she missed a backhand shot and the same thing happened again. Serving for the second time, Pegula ended the match with a nice backhand, but Sabalenka couldn’t dig it out.

Sabalenka lost her first two serve games in the second set and eventually trailed 4-0 before holding serve twice.

With Pegula serving for a 5-3 lead, she created two match points but lost both, one of which was a double fault. Sabalenka then lost her first three service points but saved four more match points before Pegula tied the score.

Sabalenka spoiled her performance with 33 unforced errors and 15 game-winners. Pegula is the quintessential neat 12- and 17-year-old.