(Cancun) World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the semifinals of the WTA Finals for the second year in a row, beating Elena Rybakina 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 6-2 , 3-6, 6-3, Friday.
The game was interrupted several times due to rain on Thursday evening, before being officially suspended at the end of the second inning and postponed until the next day.
At that point, Rybakina served at 5-3 to force a final set. This she managed to do when the action resumed the next day.
Sabalenka, however, had the best in the third round, not without difficulty. In the last game, she saved five break points, before winning on her fourth match point.
PHOTO CLAUDIO CRUZ, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Elena Rybakina
It was a replay of the Australian Open final in January, where Sabalenka also won.
With her 2-1 record in the group stage, Sabalenka finished second in her group. Jessica Pegula, who won all three of her matches, finished in first place.
Rybakina was eliminated following the loss to Sabalenka.
Later Friday evening, U.S. Open champion Coco Gauff will face Wimbledon winner Marketa Vondrousova. The four-time major tournament champion, Iga Swiatek, will face the three-time finalist of the same tournaments, Ons Jabeur.