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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

The tennis community is buzzing about the WTA Finals, which is now underway in Cancun for the first time. Ever since it was started in 1972, the outdoor hard court event has often delivered some high-octane performances from the top eight singles players on the women’s tour. With Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula among its participants, this season’s tournament hopes to keep up its high standards.

The WTA superstars have already started the season-ending championship on a high note. In the next group stage match, Sabalenka and Pegula will now square off against each other in order to move one step closer to the latter rounds of the prestigious tournament.

Aryna Sabalenka vs. Jessica Pegula: Group stage match preview

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After attaining her new world No. 1 status, the Belarusian tennis star entered the outdoor hard court event in Cancun as the top seed. Sabalenka has undoubtedly raised her level on the court this season, having won three single titles. Her first triumphant campaign came at the very start of the season, the Australian Open. Apart from her maiden Grand Slam crown, the Belarusian also tasted glory in Adelaide and Madrid, where she secured two more titles. Now, after overcoming Maria Sakkari in the first match, the Belarusian looks all geared up for her fourth title at the WTA Finals.

Jessica Pegula, on the other hand, has also started the tournament with a bang, having won her first group-stage match. Entering the WTA Finals as the fifth seed, the American outclassed Elena Rybakina in straight sets, 7-5, 6-2. The 29-year-old, who previously secured the titles in Korea and Montreal, will now be aiming for another triumphant run at the season-ending championship in Cancun.

Sabalenka vs. Pegula: Head-to-Head Record

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This will be the second meeting between Sabalenka and Pegula at the WTA Finals and their sixth overall on the tour. The duo first met each other at the 2020 Western & Southern Open, where Pegula defeated Sabalenka on her home soil. In the same season, the WTA players also locked horns at the French Open, but it was the Belarusian who had her revenge then, 6-3, 6-1.

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After her Cincinnati Masters win, Pegula failed to taste any victory against Sabalenka as she got defeated in their other meetings at the Madrid Open and Internazionali BNL d’Italia. Pegula only has one win in her bag against the Belarusian, who has a solid 4-1 lead in their H2H record.

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Prediction: Sabalenka to prevail in three-set contest

Even though it will be a close contest given their current rankings, it will be the new world No. 1 who will eventually prevail in the group stage match in Cancun. Due to her fierce style of play and serving, Sabalenka is the clear favorite to defeat Pegula and move closer to the latter rounds of the tournament.

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