Jessica Pegula defeats Elena Rybakina in WTA Finals opener

Jessica Pegula defeated Elena Rybakina 7-5, 6-2 in front of an attentive crowd at the GNP Seguros WTA Finals on Sunday evening.

While the wind was not a major factor in this festive outdoor event, the big-hitting Rybakina was slightly off, finishing with 35 unforced errors to only 12 winners. Pegula, on the other hand, was more disciplined and efficient, with 12 winners and 16 unforced errors.

Rybakina was serving for the first set at 5-3 when she began to unravel. Pegula broke her when a backhand soared long, and she went on to win four straight games with a flourish.

“She made a couple of errors, a couple of loose points and I was able to jump on it and find my momentum,” Pegula told reporters afterward. “I started serving a little better after that and was able to get a read on her serve and I started finding my rhythm a little bit with the court and the balls. I just took advantage of the opportunity that I had.”

The momentum carried over into the second set, with Pegula breaking Rybakina in the first game, again in the fifth, and again in the seventh.

Pegula is now 48-0 this season after winning the first set 6-0 against Top 10 players. This was also her fourth consecutive victory over a Top 10 player, extending her personal best. Pegula is 6-0 in Mexico and won the Guadalajara Open Akron a year ago.

SportsLigue