Sabalenka takes opening win at WTA Finals

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus serves during the group stage match against Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic at the WTA Finals in Indian Wells, California, the United States, on Nov. 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Four-time Grand Slam winner Aryna Sabalenka overcame Karolina Muchova 7-6 (2), 7-5 to win her Group 2 opener of the WTA Finals at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on Monday.

Although Sabalenka squandered two set points and was forced into the tiebreak in the first set, she did not meet much challenge later on and capitalized on Muchova's forehand error to take the first set.

The Belarusian served out for the second set to win the match in under two hours.

"I feel like this year, Indian Wells overall because we're here, has been really good for me," Sabalenka was quoted as saying by the WTA official website. "So I really hope that this is going to help me at the Finals. I think just trying to take it as a normal tournament.

"But in the round robin, I'm just trying to win every match I play and at the same time trying to stay in the moment and focus on my game, on each point, and trying to stay calm and in control. So I guess that's probably, that's the secret to consistency."

Sabalenka will next meet Mirra Andreeva in the second match of the round-robin group stage after the latter defeated Elina Svitolina 6-4, 6-0 in 70 minutes.

"Honestly, I feel like I haven't had a lot of Top 10 wins this season. To have [another] one finally, it feels super nice," Andreeva, 19, told reporters.

China's Guo Hanyu partnered with Kristina Mladenovic of France to beat Hsieh Su-Wei and Jelena Ostapenko 3-6, 6-1, 12-10 in the doubles competition.

Elsewhere, China's Zhang Shuai and Elise Mertens lost to Gabriela Dabrowski and Luisa Stefani 6-3, 7-6 (5).

Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic hits a return during the group stage match against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at the WTA Finals in Indian Wells, California, the United States, on Nov. 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus hits a return during the group stage match against Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic at the WTA Finals in Indian Wells, California, the United States, on Nov. 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus reacts during the group stage match against Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic at the WTA Finals in Indian Wells, California, the United States, on Nov. 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

Mirra Andreeva of Russia serves during the group stage match against Elina Svitolina of Ukraine at the WTA Finals in Indian Wells, California, the United States, on Nov. 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

Elina Svitolina of Ukraine hits a return during the group stage match against Mirra Andreeva of Russia at the WTA Finals in Indian Wells, California, the United States, on Nov. 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

Mirra Andreeva of Russia serves during the group stage match against Elina Svitolina of Ukraine at the WTA Finals in Indian Wells, California, the United States, on Nov. 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

Elina Svitolina of Ukraine serves during the group stage match against Mirra Andreeva of Russia at the WTA Finals in Indian Wells, California, the United States, on Nov. 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

Mirra Andreeva of Russia hits a return during the group stage match against Elina Svitolina of Ukraine at the WTA Finals in Indian Wells, California, the United States, on Nov. 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

Guo Hanyu (L)/Kristina Mladenovic reacts during the group stage match between Hsieh Su-wei of Chinese Taipei/Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia and Guo Hanyu of China/Kristina Mladenovic of France at the WTA Finals in Indian Wells, California, the United States, on Nov. 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

Hsieh Su-wei (L)/Jelena Ostapenko communicate during the group stage match between Hsieh Su-wei of Chinese Taipei/Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia and Guo Hanyu of China/Kristina Mladenovic of France at the WTA Finals in Indian Wells, California, the United States, on Nov. 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)