Coco Gauff, the victor at Roland Garros, performed admirably in the initial set, yet Aryna Sabalenka exhibits exceptional prowess in tie-breaks, having triumphed in 22 out of the 24 she has contested this year.
Gauff’s serving, an area that has presented challenges lately, proved remarkably solid in the first set, marked by a 72% success rate for first serves, a 62% win rate for first-serve points, and a 70% win rate for points following her second serve.
Nevertheless, she could not secure the set while leading 5-4, and her initial double fault of the match presented Sabalenka, a four-time major singles champion, with two opportunities to seize the set in the tie-break.
Conversely, Sabalenka displayed a spectrum of feelings, twice rebounding from a break deficit; irritation after consecutive points conceded, despondency after directing a backhand volley beyond the sideline during the tie-break, and elation as she unleashed a potent forehand winner to secure the set.
Sabalenka swiftly established a 4-0 advantage in the second set and, notwithstanding a momentary concession of one of her two service breaks, she served to clinch the match and maintain her bid for a maiden WTA Finals title.
Sabalenka has advanced to the semi-finals for the fourth consecutive year but has only progressed to the final on one occasion, succumbing to Caroline Garcia in 2022.
