Aryna Sabalenka rallied from a break down in the third eet to beat Jessica Pegula 6-4 2-6 6-4 to improve to 2-0 in the Steffi Graf Group at the WTA Finals in Ryiadh after beating Jasmine Paolini 6-3 6-1 on the first day.
Sabalenka avenged her recent defeat against Pegula in the semifinal of the WTA 1000 tournament in Wuhan last October.
Sabalenka converted her fourth break point in the sixth game and held serve at love to open up a 5-2 lead, but she was not able to serve out for the first set in the ninth game, as Pegula broke back for 4-5. Sabalenka closed out the first set 6-4 by breaking Pegula in the 10th game.
Pegula earned two breaks in the third and seventh games to win the second set 6-2 forcing the match to the third set.
Pegula converted her fourth break point in the third game of the decisive set to take a 2-1 lead. Sabalenka bounced back by winning four consecutive games to open up a 5-2 lead before serving out the win on her first match point in the ninth game.
Sabalenka needs to win one set against Coco Gauff in the last round robin match.
Aryna Sabalenka: “Pegula played incredible tennis. In the second set she started playing on another level and when I went a break down in the third I just told myself I had to play more aggressive. I felt sorry, but at the same time I was so happy that I was able to find that beast mode inside of me and go after my shots and play unbelievable.”
