Aryna Sabalenka grimaces after losing a point at the WTA Finals against Karolina MuchovaImage source, Getty Images
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Aryna Sabalenka reached the WTA Finals showpiece in 2022 and 2025

ByAmy LofthouseBBC Sport Senior Journalist

Aryna Sabalenka grappled with her own frustrations and a misfiring serve to begin her WTA Finals campaign with a tight victory over Karolina Muchova.

World number two Sabalenka is bidding to win the season-ending title for the first time in her sixth appearance.

With rival and world number one Elena Rybakina withdrawing on the eve of the competition, Sabalenka is arguably the favourite to triumph on the courts where she won the Indian Wells title in March.