WTA Elite Trophy: Aryna Sabalenka and Elise Mertens win opening round

Aryna Sabalenka and Elise Mertens have celebrated a smooth victory at the start of the WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai.

The course of the Aryna Sabalenka continues! The Bulgarian won the WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai 6:4 and 6:4 against Ashleigh Barty.

In the first round, Sabalenka managed a break, which the upcoming star of the WTA Tour got hold of in the first game. Barty played solid baseline tennis as usual, but the Australian had little to offer against Sabalenka’s power. The twelfth in the world rankings scored above all with its strong serve.

In the second half, it was Barty who broke and took the lead 3-1. However, Sabalenka’s reaction was not long in coming and the Bulgarian struck back with two breaks. A victory for the 20-year-old, fully deserved at the end after 1:26 hours, was on the scoreboard at the end.

Elsie Mertens also made a successful start in Zhuhai. In her opening game, the Belgian player had to deal with the Estonian Anett Konatveit and lived up to her light role as favourite. With 6:3 and 6:1 Mertens managed a great victory, which should give the 22-year-old courage for the next rounds.

This should warn Julia Görges in particular. The German meets Mertens in the group phase and has to acknowledge that the world ranking eleventh is in a great shape.

At the B-World Championships in Zhuhai Görges will compete as defending champion. Last year the Bad Oldesloerin finished the year with the title in China and celebrated one of the greatest successes of her career.