In a thrilling display of tennis prowess, Aryna Sabalenka’s unyielding spirit kept her undefeated streak alive, edging closer to the WTA Finals semifinals after a grueling three-set battle against Jessica Pegula. But here’s where it gets controversial—while Sabalenka’s victory was hard-fought, it also highlighted the razor-thin margin between dominance and vulnerability in her game. Could this be the match that reveals her Achilles’ heel? Let’s dive in.
On Thursday at the King Saud University Indoor Arena, Sabalenka navigated a precarious balance between precision and aggression, ultimately outlasting Pegula with a 6–4, 2–6, 6–3 win in just over two hours. This triumph keeps her flawless record intact in Riyadh and positions her one step closer to the semifinals. Yet, the match was anything but straightforward, as Pegula’s relentless pressure forced Sabalenka to dig deep into her reserves.
And this is the part most people miss: While Sabalenka leads their head-to-head 9–3, their recent encounters have become increasingly competitive, with each of their last three matches going the full distance. This rivalry is no longer a one-sided affair but a battle of wills. Sabalenka herself acknowledged this after the match, saying, ‘She always pushes me to the limit… I love playing against her because it’s never an easy match. It’s always great tennis, great level, great points.’
But here’s the bold question: Is Sabalenka’s reliance on aggression sustainable against top opponents like Pegula, or does it leave her exposed in moments of inconsistency? Her second-set collapse, where she struggled with her serve and committed costly errors, raises eyebrows. Yet, her ability to rebound in the third set—winning four straight games after an early break—showcases her mental fortitude. Which version of Sabalenka will show up in the semifinals?
The victory doesn’t guarantee Sabalenka a semifinal spot, but she’s firmly in control of her destiny in the Stefanie Graf Group with a 2–0 record. Jasmine Paolini has been eliminated, leaving Sabalenka, Pegula, and Coco Gauff—her next opponent—still in contention. Speaking of Gauff, Sabalenka’s upcoming match against the American teenager adds another layer of intrigue. With Gauff leading their head-to-head 6–5, Sabalenka has a chance to even the score and secure her place in the semifinals. But will she? Or will Gauff exploit Sabalenka’s vulnerabilities, as Pegula nearly did?
Key moments from the match underscore Sabalenka’s resilience. After fending off an early break point, she struck first, converting her fourth opportunity with a forehand winner to take a 4–2 lead. Yet, Pegula’s fightback in the second set—breaking Sabalenka twice for a 5–2 lead—showed that the Belarusian isn’t invincible. In the third set, Sabalenka’s first serve initially deserted her, but she found another gear, roaring back to win four straight games and seal the match with a final forehand winner.
Here’s the controversial interpretation: Sabalenka’s 61st win of the season and her 13th against a top-10 opponent are impressive, but her inconsistency against Pegula suggests she’s not unstoppable. As she prepares to face Gauff, the question remains: Can she maintain her aggression without self-destructing? Or will her rivals exploit her unpredictability?
What do you think? Is Sabalenka’s aggressive style her greatest strength or her potential downfall? Let us know in the comments—this debate is far from over.
