The left half on this US Open foto all won
The spectacle in this 15 million dollar tournament is underway. Each group has completed its first two matches. Every one of the 8 participants now knows where they stand. We present a set-by-set breakdown for each of the four matches in the WTA Finals 2024 so far, and provide an interim assessment after each player’s first group-stage match.
Aryna Sabalenka vs. Qinwen Zheng
- Date: November 2, 2024
- Group: Purple
- Result: Aryna Sabalenka defeated Qinwen Zheng 6-3, 6-4
Set 1:
From the first rally, Aryna Sabalenka made her intentions clear, unleashing her powerful baseline game to claim an early lead. With her signature serve firing on all cylinders, she quickly put Qinwen Zheng on the defensive, taking advantage of a somewhat tentative start from her opponent. Though Zheng countered with a few sharp winners, Sabalenka’s relentless assault on her backhand forced error after error. Twice, she broke Zheng’s serve, and with an emphatic ace, Sabalenka sealed the set 6-3, establishing her dominance.
Set 2:
Zheng came out with renewed energy in the second set, fiercely defending her serve and even pressing Sabalenka with a break-point chance. Yet, Sabalenka rose to the challenge, relying on her clutch serving to escape trouble. Zheng’s aggressive cross-court forehands kept her within striking distance, but Sabalenka’s steady control eventually tilted the scales. A pivotal break in the eighth game gave Sabalenka a 5-4 advantage, and she served out the match with precision and poise. This convincing win showcased her top-seed status, setting the stage for her championship ambitions.
The assesment from a Chinese perspective cannot be negative. Qinwen Zheng just fell short by margins. She is by no means out of this yet.
Jasmine Paolini vs. Elena Rybakina
- Date: November 2, 2024
- Group: Purple
- Result: Jasmine Paolini defeated Elena Rybakina 7-6(5), 6-4
Set 1:
The first set was a tightly contested battle as Jasmine Paolini, known for her tenacity, matched Rybakina’s power with smart shot selection. Both players held serve through the first 12 games, with Rybakina showcasing her serve by firing aces and preventing Paolini from finding rhythm on her returns. Paolini countered with strong defensive play and well-timed passing shots, keeping Rybakina on her toes. The set reached a tiebreak, where Paolini managed to edge out Rybakina 7-5 because the Kazakh star played a shocker of a tiebreak.
Set 2:
Paolini’s momentum carried over into the second set, where she began finding better depth on her returns. In the fifth game, she broke Rybakina’s serve, capitalizing on a few unforced errors and a double fault from her opponent. Rybakina tried to rally back but appeared to struggle with her timing, possibly due to her lack of match practice since the U.S. Open. Paolini maintained her focus and kept holding her serve, eventually taking the set 6-4 to complete an impressive straight-sets victory.
Again, we can assess that the player who lost this match is still not out of the competition yet. However, as we’ve seen before with Rybakina, there were moments when she was in control of her opponent but attempts to win points by hitting shots straight down the middle of the court failed miserably. This approach repeatedly lead her to lose the rally. Paolini stayed focused throughout, while Rybakina lost her composure and faltered. The Italian deserved to win this.
Iga Świątek vs. Barbora Krejčíková
- Date: November 3, 2024
- Group: Orange
- Result: Iga Świątek defeated Barbora Krejčíková 4-6, 7-5, 6-2
Set 1:
Barbora Krejčíková caught Świątek off guard in the opening set, using her varied arsenal of slices and drop shots to throw off Świątek’s rhythm from the baseline. Krejčíková jumped to an early 3-1 lead after securing a break, her mix of well-placed serves and clever net approaches keeping Świątek on her heels. Though Świątek attempted to respond with her signature powerful groundstrokes, unforced errors—particularly from her forehand—began to mount. Krejčíková held her composure and closed out the set 6-4, putting Świątek in the rare position of needing to battle from behind.
Set 2:
Świątek seemed to be on the ropes even in the second set, quickly finding herself down by two breaks and trailing 3-0. In frustration, she shouted toward her box, but then the comeback began. A shaky service game from Krejčíková gave Świątek a glimmer of hope, allowing her to close the gap to 1-3, then 2-3. Krejčíková, now feeling the pressure, struggled to hold serve as Świątek’s intensity increased. Świątek seized the opportunity, targeting Krejčíková’s backhand to break again and take control of the set. The score progressed from 4-3 to 5-4 and then 6-5 in Świątek’s favor. Although Krejčíková fought to stay in it, the cracks in her game—particularly on her serve—widened. Serving at 6-5, Świątek saved two break points and closed out the set 7-5, leveling the match. The momentum had clearly shifted; that initial break at 0-3 was all the spark Świątek needed for a remarkable turnaround.
Set 3:
In the final set, Świątek displayed the champion form that led her to victory last year, increasing her aggression and controlling the pace. Krejčíková, visibly fatigued, struggled to keep up with Świątek’s precision and speed. Świątek broke twice, dominating the rallies and drawing unforced errors from her opponent, eventually closing the set 6-2 and completing a resilient comeback. Krejčíková, on the other hand, faces the possibility of losing all three matches in this round-robin phase. She had been just three games away from defeating Świątek in straight sets but squandered the opportunity with poor serving. This setback will likely stir more doubts than confidence heading into her next two matches.
Coco Gauff vs. Jessica Pegula
- Date: November 3, 2024
- Group: Orange
- Result: Coco Gauff defeated Jessica Pegula 6-3, 6-2
Set 1:
From the first ball, Coco Gauff set the tone in this all-American showdown, breaking Pegula’s serve in the fourth game to establish a 3-1 lead. Her athleticism and resilience shone as she dug into long rallies, skillfully targeting Pegula’s forehand to gain the upper hand. Pegula managed to hold her serve a few times, but Gauff’s defensive prowess left her with few openings. Remaining calm and composed, Gauff closed out the set 6-3, her serve unshakeable and her lead undeniable.
Set 2:
Gauff rode the wave of her first-set success straight into the second, breaking Pegula right off the bat. With relentless pressure from the baseline and steady, deep returns, Gauff kept Pegula scrambling. Another break brought Gauff to 4-1, effectively tilting the match in her favor. Though Pegula managed one more hold, Gauff’s dominance was unyielding as she wrapped up the set 6-2. This decisive straight-sets win showcased Coco’s steady ascent and underscored her status as a serious contender in the tournament. Pegula seems to be in trouble. It will be difficult to bounce back from this display.
Conclusion: Paolini as dark horse
Sabalenka and Gauff looked exceptionally strong. Iga Świątek battled back in her trademark fashion—a style we should not just appreciate but truly admire. Both Qinwen Zheng and Elena Rybakina appear capable of securing a win in their remaining two matches, but will one victory be enough to reach the semifinals? Jasmine Paolini could be the dark horse. With her gritty performance in a hard-fought win over Rybakina, she’s already proving she has what it takes.