Aryna Sabalenka achieves milestone for the first time since Serena Williams after latest WTA Finals win

Add as preferred source on Google

Aryna Sabalenka continued her strong start at the WTA Finals on Monday, battling through a tough three-set match to defeat Jessica Pegula.

The Belarusian avenged her Wuhan Open semi-final loss to Pegula, defeating the American 6-4, 2-6, 6-3.

Sabalenka, who has appeared at the tournament as the world number one for three consecutive seasons, battled back from a break down in the final set to beat Pegula.

The world number one will play Coco Gauff in her final round robin match, needing one set to advance to the semi-finals.

Sabalenka has established herself as the player to beat on the WTA Tour over the last year, as demonstrated by her appearance in three Grand Slam finals.

She has been simply dominant on the WTA Tour this year, and who would bet against her going all the way in Riyadh?

Aryna Sabalenka has won 61 matches on the WTA Tour in 2025 as the world number one

The world number one continues to break new ground on the WTA Tour.

Now having won 61 matches on the WTA Tour this year, Aryna Sabalenka is the first player to record over 60 wins at WTA-level as the world number one in a single season since Serena Williams in 2013.

Unfortunately for Sabalenka, she will not be able to break Serena’s total from 2013 – as per OptaAce, the American won 66 WTA Tour matches in 2013.

Sabalenka can play a maximum of three more WTA Tour matches between now and the end of the season.

Fans of the Belarusian will hope she can add a 62nd win on Thursday when she plays Coco Gauff.

Sabalenka has a losing record against Gauff [5-6], last playing the American in the French Open final – a match she lost in three sets.

Sabalenka has won five of her last six matches against Pegula

Sabalenka has dominated her career matchup against Pegula.

After winning their contest on Tuesday, Sabalenka has a record of 9-3 against Pegula, winning five of their last six matches.

As mentioned previously, Pegula’s only victory in their last six matches came at the 2025 Wuhan Open.

Before Sabalenka faces off against Gauff on Thursday, Pegula will contest her final WTA Finals round robin match against Jasmine Paolini, who has lost both of her first two matches.