The WTA is gearing up to face the final stage of the season. In it, two events stand out above the rest: the individual culmination with the WTA Finals (from November 2 to 9) and Billie Jean King Cup Finals (November 13 to 20). This is the first tournament to take center stage this Tuesday.
He WTA Finals draw This was a fact before the event in Riyadh. This Tuesday the groups are configured, where that is already known Aryna Sabalenkarecently declared number 1 in the world, and Iga Swiatekdefending champion, are in a different quartet due to their status as seeds.
Both will be held in Riyadh on number 1 in the world of the season, although the scenarios are very favorable for Sabalenka. As a basis, it is enough for the Belarusian to win all three matches in the group stage to make it or, in the case of losing one, reach the final. It also serves, as another option, that Swiatek did not reach the semifinals. Iga needs to win the title and wait for Sabalenka’s ruling to have a chance.
Sabalenka lead to a Purple Team where it is paired with Jasmine Paolini (world number 4), Elena Rybakina (5) and Qinwen Zheng (7). Swiatekon his part, orders a Orange Group where they will also play Coco Gauff (3), Jessica Pegula (6) and Barbora Krejcikova (8).
Sabalenka will start as favorite for the title in Riyadh. Not just by ranking, but because he has proven to be the strongest player on the circuit in recent months. She won three of the last four tournaments she played, all of them notable: Cincinnati, US Open and Wuhan, with only one loss against Karolina Muchova in the quarterfinals in Beijing, for twenty wins out of twenty one against. The Australian Open is yours this year too.
The Belarusian, therefore, will be the leading reference in a group that will also include the new Olympic champion and Australian Open finalist. Qinwen Zheng. They will also seek good sensations Jasmine Paolini who comes into the tournament as the current Roland Garros and Wimbledon finalist and is always dangerous Elena Rybakina who, however, suffered a very complicated year due to physical problems.
The big unknown is to see how he is. Iga Swiatek. The Polish player, the Roland Garros champion, has not played a single match since losing in the quarterfinals of the US Open to Jessica Pegula and has changed coaches in recent weeks with Wim Fissette to relieve Tomasz Wiktorowski. The one in Riyadh will therefore be the first tournament where both form a duo.
Looking to be another contender for the title Coco Gauff who arrived in a wonderful state of form. She won the WTA 1000 in Beijing a few weeks ago and only lost in the Wuhan semifinals in a contested match. In the Asian tour, certainly, he was not able to continue his great American tour (title in Canada and finals in the US Open and in Cincinnati). Jessica Pegula who will try to regain his best level. complete the group Barbora Krejcikovaafter a very irregular year in which he was twelfth in the ‘race’, as he earned a place in this tournament after his new Wimbledon title. They have four losses in the last five games.
First day matches in each group
Purple Group, November 2
Aryna Sabalenka (1)-Qinwen Zheng (7)
Jasmine Paolini (4)-Elena Rybakina (5)
Orange Group, November 3
Iga Swiatek (2)-Barbora Krejcikova (7)
Jasmine Paolini (4)-Elena Rybakina (5)
Source: La Verdad
I’m Robert Maynard, and I am a passionate journalist with experience in sports writing. For the last few years, I have been writing for Today Times Live. My main focus has been on sports-related stories and features. With my strong background in journalism and extensive knowledge of the industry, I am able to provide readers with well-crafted pieces that are both informative and engaging.
