CANCÚN — The opening day of the 2023 WTA Finals presented a stark contrast in fortunes for two of the tour's biggest stars, with world number one Aryna Sabalenka delivering a serving masterclass while US Open champion Coco Gauff struggled mightily with her delivery in a surprising straight-sets loss.
Sabalenka's Commanding Start
Aryna Sabalenka, who clinched the year-end No. 1 ranking just days before the tournament, looked every bit the part in her opening round-robin match against Maria Sakkari. In a 6-0, 6-1 demolition that lasted just 74 minutes, Sabalenka's serve was the cornerstone of her dominance. She fired 7 aces, won a staggering 91% of points behind her first serve, and did not face a single break point. "I'm super happy with the performance," Sabalenka stated in her post-match press conference. "I think I played great tennis today. Everything worked really well, especially my serve."
This level of serving is the culmination of a years-long project for the powerful Belarusian. After battling a debilitating serving yips in 2021-22, Sabalenka has transformed her biggest weakness into arguably her greatest weapon. Her ability to hit her spots with both power and precision under the pressure of the season-ending championships sent a clear message to the rest of the field. Her performance was characterized by:
"Aggressive returns, deep groundstrokes, and a serve that was simply unplayable for long stretches of the match."
Gauff's Service Woes Prove Costly
On the opposite end of the spectrum was Coco Gauff. The 19-year-old American, who arrived in Cancún on a 16-match winning streak that included her maiden Grand Slam title in New York, fell 6-4, 6-3 to Ons Jabeur. The primary culprit was a shocking breakdown of her serve. Gauff, who had shown remarkable improvement in her delivery over the summer, committed 9 double faults and won a meager 48% of her service points.
The windy conditions on court were a factor cited by both players, but Gauff was unable to find a solution. "I think it was just one of those days," a disappointed Gauff admitted. "The wind was tricky, but Ons handled it better than I did. My serve just wasn't there today. I couldn't find the rhythm, and the double faults obviously hurt me a lot." The statistical breakdown of her service game was damning:
- First Serve Percentage: 54%
- Double Faults: 9
- Points Won on First Serve: 58%
- Points Won on Second Serve: 29%
Jabeur Capitalizes on the Opportunity
Tunisia's Ons Jabeur, a two-time major finalist this year, was the perfect opponent to exploit Gauff's vulnerabilities. Known for her variety and tactical intelligence, Jabeur used slice backhands and clever drop shots to disrupt Gauff's rhythm further and never allowed the teenager to settle. Jabeur converted four of her five break point opportunities, a testament to her clinical efficiency on the biggest points.
"I knew it was going to be tough with the conditions," Jabeur said. "I tried to just put the ball in and be aggressive when I had the chance. I'm really happy with the win, it's very important to start like this in a tournament like the Finals." The victory marked a significant turnaround for Jabeur, who had struggled with a knee injury in the latter part of the season and had lost her two previous encounters with Gauff.
The Tale of the Tape: A Serve-Focused Analysis
The juxtaposition of these two matches provides a compelling case study on the critical importance of the serve in modern women's tennis. On a day with challenging external factors, the player with the more reliable and powerful weapon—Sabalenka—cruised, while the player whose serve faltered—Gauff—was never able to gain a foothold in her match. The numbers from their opening matches tell the story clearly:
Sabalenka vs. Sakkari:
- Aces: 7
- Double Faults: 2
- 1st Serve Points Won: 91% (20/22)
- Break Points Saved: 0/0
- Aces: 1
- Double Faults: 9
- 1st Serve Points Won: 58% (15/26)
- Break Points Saved: 1/5
Road Ahead in the Round Robin
The WTA Finals format allows for redemption, but the path forward is now distinctly different for both stars. Sabalenka sits atop the Bacalar Group and will face Jessica Pegula next, brimming with confidence. Another win would all but guarantee her a spot in the semi-finals and solidify her status as the tournament favorite.
For Gauff, the loss to Jabeur makes her next match against fellow loser Maria Sakkari a virtual must-win. "I have to reset," Gauff affirmed. "It's a round-robin format, so it's not over. I need to go back to practice, fix what went wrong, and be ready for the next one. I know I can play better than this." The pressure will be immense, as a second loss would severely diminish her chances of advancing from the Chetumal Group.
Conclusion: A Tournament Defined by Small Margins
The opening day of the WTA Finals served as a powerful reminder that at the pinnacle of the sport, the smallest details can have the largest consequences. Sabalenka's relentless power and serving precision make her a formidable force, while Gauff's unexpected struggles highlight the constant need for adaptation and mental fortitude. As the battle for the year-end championship continues, all eyes will be on whether Sabalenka can maintain her formidable level and if Gauff can engineer a rapid service turnaround to keep her title hopes alive in Cancún.