Sabalenka overcomes seven double faults to win WTA Finals opener

Aryna Sabalenka began her WTA Finals campaign with a 7-6 (7-2), 7-5 win over Karolina Muchova, recovering from a break down in both sets despite seven double faults.

The world number two, seeking her first title at the season-ending tournament in her sixth appearance, was tested by Muchova, the only player in the field with a winning head-to-head record against her. Sabalenka tightened her game as the match went on, while errors cost Muchova the opening set after she had served for it.

The second set featured five breaks of serve. Sabalenka eventually served out the match on her second attempt. She landed 59% of her first serves and won 33 of 44 points behind them, but made seven double faults against four aces.

Sabalenka told Sky Sports that sun and shade had made serving difficult, saying she sometimes had to adjust her toss or “serve blind”.

She is arguably the favourite after world number one Elena Rybakina withdrew on the eve of the tournament. Sabalenka’s last title came in Miami in March, and she won only one of three matches during the Asian swing before taking a break ahead of the Finals.

Sabalenka’s victory followed fellow American Coco Gauff’s three-set win over Jessica Pegula in the other opening match in the group.