In a thrilling display of tennis prowess, Aryna Sabalenka’s unyielding spirit kept her undefeated streak alive, edging her closer to the semifinals of the WTA Finals. But here’s where it gets controversial: while Sabalenka’s victory over Jessica Pegula was hard-fought, it wasn’t without its moments of uncertainty, leaving fans to wonder if her dominance is sustainable against rising competitors. On Thursday, Sabalenka navigated a delicate balance between precision and aggression, ultimately outlasting Pegula in a three-set battle that showcased both players’ resilience. The final score of 6–4, 2–6, 6–3, achieved in just over two hours at the King Saud University Indoor Arena, cemented Sabalenka’s unbeaten record in Riyadh and her position as a frontrunner in the Stefanie Graf Group.
This marked Sabalenka’s ninth victory in 12 encounters against Pegula, though recent matches have been anything but one-sided. And this is the part most people miss: their rivalry has intensified, with each of their last three clashes going the full distance. ‘She always pushes me to the limit,’ Sabalenka admitted post-match. ‘In the second set, she played incredible tennis, but in the third, I knew I had to stay aggressive and trust my shots.’ Her ability to regroup and reclaim her signature power—highlighted by her roaring forehand winners—was the turning point, as she rallied from a break down in the final set to secure the win.
While Sabalenka’s victory doesn’t guarantee a semifinal spot, it places her firmly in control as the only player at 2-0 in her group. Jasmine Paolini’s elimination leaves Sabalenka, Pegula, and Coco Gauff—Sabalenka’s next opponent—still in contention. Speaking of Gauff, her straight-sets win over Paolini kept her tournament hopes alive, setting the stage for a high-stakes matchup with Sabalenka. Here’s the controversial question: Can Sabalenka maintain her momentum against Gauff, who leads their head-to-head 6-5, or will the American flip the script once again?
Key moments from the match revealed Sabalenka’s early dominance, as she converted a forehand winner to take a 4-2 lead in the first set. Pegula fought back, saving a set point and breaking Sabalenka’s serve to narrow the gap to 5-4, but Sabalenka’s persistence paid off as she clinched the opener. The second set saw Pegula capitalize on her opportunities, breaking Sabalenka twice to force a decider. In the third set, Sabalenka’s first serve initially struggled, but her ability to shift gears—a trait few on the WTA Tour can match—proved decisive. Winning four straight games to take a 5-2 lead, she sealed the match with a final forehand winner, collapsing to her knees in triumph.
Sabalenka’s win was her 61st of the season and her 13th against a top-10 opponent, the most since Iga Swiatek’s 15 in 2022. A victory over Gauff would not only even their head-to-head but also secure Sabalenka first place in her group and a semifinal berth. But here’s the real question for fans: Is Sabalenka’s aggressive style sustainable against the tour’s best, or will her reliance on power eventually become her Achilles’ heel? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this debate is far from over.
