The key facts
- Sabalenka beat Muchova 7:6 (7:2), 7:5 in the opening match of the group stage
- The tournament is being held in Indian Wells without Elena Rybakina; Marta Kostyuk took her place
- Sabalenka's group also includes Andreeva and Svitolina
Sabalenka opened the tournament with a win
Belarusian tennis player Aryna Sabalenka won her first match in the group stage of the WTA Finals, which is taking place in Indian Wells, USA. Her opponent was Czech player Karolina Muchova: the match ended in two sets with a score of 7:6 (7:2), 7:5. Sabalenka took the first set in a tiebreak and closed out the second without an additional tiebreak — Life.ru reports.
Group composition and Rybakina's replacement
Sabalenka and Muchova are in the same group as Russian tennis player Mirra Andreeva and Ukrainian Elina Svitolina; their head-to-head match will take place later. Another Ukrainian, Marta Kostyuk, started the tournament with a loss — she was comfortably beaten in two sets by Noskova. Kostyuk entered the main draw after world No. 1 Elena Rybakina, representing Kazakhstan, withdrew from the tournament due to health problems. According to the athlete herself, her physical condition does not allow her to compete.
What is known and what is not yet
Thus, the opening day has already changed the tournament lineup: Kostyuk is playing instead of Rybakina, and she lost her first match. Sources do not provide details about the nature of Rybakina's health problems. Further results of the group featuring Sabalenka, Muchova, Andreeva and Svitolina will become known as the tournament progresses; the outlet collects match news in its sports section.
