World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka made a commanding start to her WTA Finals campaign in Riyadh, cruising past Zheng Qinwen in straight sets. The Belarusian's comprehensive 6-3, 6-4 victory not only put her on course for a maiden year-end title, but also strengthened her grip on the coveted year-end No. 1 ranking.

Sabalenka Stamps Her Authority in Riyadh Opener

Dominant Serving Propels Sabalenka to Victory

Aryna Sabalenka's serving prowess was the driving force behind her convincing win over Zheng Qinwen. The Australian Open and US Open champion won an astounding 94% of points on her first serve, while committing just a solitary double fault throughout the one-hour and 24-minute encounter. Sabalenka's ability to consistently land her first delivery with pinpoint accuracy put immense pressure on her Chinese opponent, who struggled to find a way to break the world No. 1's serve.Sabalenka's service game was the bedrock of her performance, as she faced just a single break point in the entire match, which she successfully fended off. The Belarusian's dominant serving not only denied Zheng any real opportunities to gain a foothold in the contest, but also allowed Sabalenka to dictate the tempo and flow of the match.

Sabalenka's Comprehensive Victory Underscores Her Dominance

Aryna Sabalenka's comprehensive victory over Zheng Qinwen was a testament to her current form and status as the world's top-ranked player. The 24-year-old has been in scintillating form in recent months, winning 20 of her last 21 matches, including titles at the Cincinnati Masters, US Open, and Wuhan Open.Sabalenka's victory over Zheng was her fifth in as many career meetings, further highlighting her dominance over the Chinese player. While Zheng has enjoyed a strong season of her own, winning the Tokyo WTA 500 event just over a week ago, she was unable to match Sabalenka's firepower and intensity on the indoor courts of King Saud University.The one-sided nature of the encounter, with Sabalenka winning in straight sets, showcased the Belarusian's ability to rise to the occasion and deliver when it matters most. As the world No. 1 continues her pursuit of a maiden WTA Finals title and the year-end No. 1 ranking, this comprehensive victory over a formidable opponent serves as a strong statement of intent.

Sabalenka's Sights Set on Year-End No. 1 Ranking

Aryna Sabalenka's victory over Zheng Qinwen not only marked a strong start to her WTA Finals campaign, but also bolstered her chances of finishing the year as the world's top-ranked player. The Belarusian has been engaged in a tight race with Iga Swiatek for the coveted year-end No. 1 ranking, and this win in Riyadh could prove to be a crucial step in her quest to claim the top spot.Sabalenka's impressive form in the latter half of the season, which has seen her win three titles, including two Grand Slams, has put her in a strong position to overtake Swiatek. With the WTA Finals being the final event of the year, Sabalenka's performance in Riyadh will be crucial in determining the outcome of the year-end No. 1 battle.As the world's top-ranked player, Sabalenka will be eager to cap off her stellar season with a maiden WTA Finals title, which would not only cement her status as the dominant force in women's tennis but also secure her the year-end No. 1 ranking. With her comprehensive victory over Zheng, Sabalenka has taken the first step towards achieving this goal, and the tennis world will be closely watching to see if she can maintain this level of play throughout the prestigious season-ending event.