Jessica Pegula Defeats Elena Rybakina in WTA Finals Opener; Aryna Sabalenka Overwhelms Maria Sakkari

Pegula maintains her perfect track record in 2023 when winning the first set; Sabalenka aims to reach WTA Finals in consecutive years after dominating performance against Sakkari.

Jessica Pegula won her opening match at the WTA Finals against Elena Rybakina in straight sets, 7-5, 6-2, maintaining her perfect 2023 record when taking the first set.
After falling behind 5-3 in the first game, Pegula raised her game and won four straight games to close out the set, subsequently overwhelming Rybakina, who made 35 unforced errors in the match.
Aryna Sabalenka defeated Maria Sakkari 6-0, 6-1 in the event's other singles match, continuing her aim to become the first player to reach the WTA Finals in consecutive years since Serena Williams in 2013-14.
Sakkari, despite being ranked No. 9, moved into the field after French Open finalist Karolina Muchova withdrew due to a wrist injury.
Some players, including Pegula and Sabalenka, have expressed dissatisfaction with the temporary court in Cancun, arguing it wasn't ready for practice until too close to the competition start.