Sabalenka secures place in WTA Finals last four, keeps alive hopes of finishing year as world No 1

World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka took another step closer to finishing the year on top of the rankings after she completed a 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 victory over Elena Rybakina to book her place in the semi-finals of the WTA Finals in Cancun on Friday.

Resuming a set up but 5-3 down in the second, Sabalenka broke Rybakina twice in the third to the Russian’s one and saved eight of nine break points, including the last game, to get over the line.

The win gave Sabalenka a 2-1 record after the group stage and secured her place in the semi-finals. The Belarusian is competing with Iga Swiatek for the year-end No 1 spot but can ensure she finishes on top if she wins the event.

Sabalenka finished second in her group behind Jess Pegula, who won all three of her matches. With two matches to go on Friday, Swiatek leads the other group on 2-0. The Pole takes on Ons Jabeur in her final grup match while US Open champion Coco Gauf plays the Wimbledon champion, Marketa Vondrousova, in the other match.

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