Aryna Sabalenka clinches semifinal spot at WTA Finals Riyadh

(Photo credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images)
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus defeated No. 4 seed Jasmine Paolini of Italy 6-3, 7-5 on Monday to improve to 2-0 at the WTA Finals Riyadh and guarantee herself a spot in the semifinals in Saudi Arabia.

Sabalenka opened the tournament Saturday with a straight-sets victory over China's Qinwen Zheng in the Purple Group. Zheng, the No. 7 seed, bounced back Monday by beating