Belarusian player Aryna Sabalenka, the world number one, was leading her opponent Elena Rybakina, the fourth seed, 6-2, 3-5, before the match was halted due to rain, postponing the decision until today, Friday. Sabalenka had previously defeated Greek player Maria Sakkari and lost to American Jessica Pegula but controlled the game during the first set against Rybakina from Kazakhstan, who is known for her powerful serves. Rain interrupted the match multiple times.
The two players had faced each other in the Australian Open final earlier this year. Rybakina regained her balance in the second set before the match was stopped, leading to the postponement. The Women’s Tennis Association announced via X (formerly Twitter) that "play was suspended tonight. The match decision has been postponed to tomorrow, Friday."
The association also confirmed that the match between Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula against Laura Siegemund and Vera Zvonareva will take place tomorrow. Sabalenka and Polish player Iga Swiatek are competing for the top spot in the international rankings by the end of the year. Sabalenka, the Australian Open champion, surpassed Swiatek, who holds four Grand Slam titles, to become the world number one following the US Open.
Sabalenka (25 years old) will retain her lead if she does not lose in the group stage of the current finals or if she advances to the final match. Pegula secured her place in the semifinals after defeating Greek Maria Sakkari, who competed in the match knowing she was eliminated from the group stage.
