CANCUN: World number one Aryna Sabalenka defeated Elena Rybakina 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in a rain-disrupted group match on Friday to book a semi-final clash with Iga Swiatek at the WTA Finals.

The Belarusian, who finished second in her group behind unbeaten Amer­ican Jessica Pegula, kept her bid for the year-end number one ranking on track with a victory that took two days to complete.

She had won the first set but was trailing in the second when play was halted Thursday night after multiple rain delays.

Some 16 hours later, she and Rybakina returned to the outdoor hardcourts in Cancun, where fourth-ranked Rybakina of Kazakhstan calmly served out the second set to level the match in a matter of minutes.

Australian Open champion Sabalenka dug deep to halt Rybakina’s momentum in the opening game of the third set, surviving nine deuces and two break points to hold serve.

She used a pair of ferocious forehands to break Rybakina in the fourth game.

World number two Swi­atek then downed sixth-seeded Ons Jabeur 6-1, 6-2 in just 67 minutes to finish top of her group with a perfect 3-0 record.

US Open champion Coco Gauff closed out gro­up play with a 5-7, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 victory over Wimbledon winner Marketa Vondro­usova and advanced to the semi-finals — her place sec­u­red after Swiatek’s win.

Gauff will face fellow American Pegula in the semi-finals, but it’s the clash between Sabalenka and Swiatek that will be in the spotlight.

If Sabalenka wins, she will finish the year ranked number one in the world, but if Swiatek triumphs she could regain the top spot if she goes on to win the title.

Published in Dawn, November 5th, 2023