Facts & Stats

Aryna Sabalenka has now made the semifinals at the five biggest tournaments of the year

By John Berkok Nov 03, 2023
Facts & Stats

Novak Djokovic is one Monte Carlo title away from a Triple Career Golden Masters

By John Berkok Apr 09, 2024
Facts & Stats

Novak Djokovic breaks record for oldest No. 1 in ATP rankings history at 36 years young

By John Berkok Apr 07, 2024
Facts & Stats

Jannik Sinner clinches No. 2 ranking, a new career-high, after winning Miami Open title

By John Berkok Mar 31, 2024
Facts & Stats

As Coco Gauff turns 20, here are 20 incredible things she achieved in tennis as a teenager

By John Berkok Mar 13, 2024
Facts & Stats

Jannik Sinner becomes first man since Lleyton Hewitt to win debut event as Grand Slam champ

By Matt Fitzgerald Feb 18, 2024
Facts & Stats

Stat of the Day: Holger Rune records milestone 100th win of career in Montpellier

By John Berkok Feb 01, 2024
Facts & Stats

20 sensational things Jannik Sinner achieved at the Australian Open this year

By John Berkok Jan 31, 2024
Facts & Stats

10 amazing things Aryna Sabalenka achieved at the Australian Open this year

By John Berkok Jan 30, 2024
Facts & Stats

Novak Djokovic now has 100 more weeks at No. 1 than any other man in ATP rankings history

By John Berkok Jan 29, 2024
Facts & Stats

Aryna Sabalenka has now made the semifinals at the five biggest tournaments of the year

She’s the first woman to reach the semis at all four majors and the WTA Finals in a season since Justine Henin in 2006.

ByJohn Berkok

Published Nov 03, 2023

Advertising

Aryna Sabalenka closed out a two-day battle at the WTA Finals in Cancun on Friday, completing a 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 victory over Elena Rybakina to qualify for the semifinals of the season-ending event.

In a winner-take-all round-robin match where the victor would advance to the semifinals and the loser would go home, Sabalenka came through—but it was anything but a smooth ride.

After coming on and off the court several times on Thursday night due to rain, the match was ultimately suspended with Sabalenka up 6-2, 3-5—the two resumed play on Friday afternoon and Rybakina pushed it to a third set, but Sabalenka rebounded for the three-set win.

And with her win over Rybakina, Sabalenka not only clinched a spot in the semifinals of the season-ending event, she did something no woman has done in 17 years—Sabalenka has become the first player to reach the semifinals or better at all four Grand Slams AND the WTA Finals in the same year since Justine Henin in 2006.

Sabalenka went 23-3 at the Grand Slams this year.

Sabalenka went 23-3 at the Grand Slams this year.

© 2023 Robert Prange

Advertising

Sabalenka started off her 2023 Grand Slam season with a run to the Australian Open title, followed by reaching the semifinals of Roland Garros, the semifinals of Wimbledon and the final of the US Open, and she’s now going to post at least a semifinal finish at the WTA Finals.

In 2006, Henin made the final of the Australian Open, won Roland Garros, made two more finals at Wimbledon and the US Open and then won the WTA Finals, which were held in Madrid that year.

Serena Williams came close to achieving the feat twice, having reached the semifinals or better at all four majors in both 2015 and 2016, but she didn’t compete at the WTA Finals in either year.

This year, Jessica Pegula had already clinched first place in the Bacalar Group, so Sabalenka qualifies in second place in that group.

The semifinal match-ups have yet to be determined as no one from the other group has even qualified for the semifinals yet, let alone clinched a specific spot, which determines the semifinal match-ups.