WTA Finals: Aryna Sabalenka defeats Jasmine Paolini to reach semi-finals

World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka got her spot in the semi-finals at the WTA Finals in the wake of overcoming Jasmine Paolini in the Purple Gathering on Monday. Sabalenka crushed the Italian 6-3 7-5 to improve to 2-0 and, joined with Qinwen Zheng's triumph over Elena Rybakina prior in the day, guaranteed that she will complete as the gathering champ. Favorite Sabalenka has now won 22 of her last 23 matches and moves inside one cooperative win of getting the year-end No 1 positioning interestingly. Also, assuming Iga Swiatek loses to Coco Gauff on Tuesday, Sabalenka will secure the year-end No 1 positioning. Sabalenka will confront Rybakina on Wednesday in the last gathering match of the week, where a 3-0 record would seal the best position. "The entire match was extreme. She's a particularly incredible player, putting such a lot of tension, moving great, serving perfectly," expressed Sabalenka during her on-court interview. "I'm really content with this success this evening and the subsequent set was very precarious. I was simply attempting to remain forceful and show her I will battle for this set come what may.