WTA Finals Riyadh—Saudi Arabia
Zheng Defeats Rybakina at WTA Finals; Cilic Advances in Belgrade
Monday’s action at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia featured Olympic Gold Medalist Qinwen Zheng defeating former Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-1.
Needing two hours and 24 minutes to advance, Zheng hit six aces, won 80 percent of her first serve points and broke serve on four occasions.
Currently ranked No. 7 in the world, Zheng picked up her first win in the event after losing to top seed Aryna Sabalenka on Saturday.
Sabalenka will be in action later today against No. 4 seed Jasmine Paolini.
Paolini defeated Ryabakina in straight sets on Saturday.
Tuesday’s action in Riyadh will feature No. 2 seed Iga Swiatek vs. No. 3 seed Coco Gauff and No. 6 seed Jessica Pegula taking on No. 8 seed Barbora Krejcikova.
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Belgrade Open—Serbia
Former US Open winner Marin Cilic reached the second round of the Belgrade Open on Monday, dismissing Alexandre Muller 7-6(2), 6-3.
The big serving Croat hit 11 aces during the one hour and 34 minute affair.
Cilic will next face No. 4 seed Jiri Lehecka for a place in the quarterfinals.
Other winners on the day included No. 7 seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry, Daniel Altmaier and Aleksandar Kovacevic.
First-round Action in Metz
Monday’s results at Moselle Open in Metz, France featured No. 7 seed Jan-Lennard Struff reaching the round of 16, dispatching Alexander Shevchenko 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Other winners on the day saw Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Lorenzo Sonego reach the second round.
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