Sabalenka’s victory saw Jessica Pegula advance from the group to the semi-finals, along with the Belarusian number 1. Pegula previously defeated Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 6-3 to take her record to 2-1. Gauff, the defending champion, finished 1-2, while Paolini finished 0-3 in the season-ending tournament for the world’s top eight players.
Sabalenka will face Amanda Anisimova in the semi-finals on Friday in a rematch of this year’s US Open final, while Pegula will play Elena Rybakina.
Gauff was twice ahead by a break in the opening set against Sabalenka and had two break points to take a 5–2 lead. The American served for the set at 5-4, but Sabalenka broke by chasing a drop shot and hitting a forehand winner down the line.
“To be honest, I was already busy for the second set,” Sabalenka said. “Something clicked and I was able to break. That match gave me a lot of confidence that I could still get it in this set.”
Gauff also led 4-2 in the tiebreak, but scored a backhand on the next point and later double-faulted, giving Sabalenka two set points. After converting the second with another forehand winner, Sabalenka broke in the opening game of the second set and was in complete control from then on.
“I had a lot of chances in the first set,” Gauff said. “It was a little disappointing not to get that. She raised her level, and then I just couldn’t find it anymore. Overall, I think I played at a high level.”
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