ZCZC
BSP-17
TENNIS-WTA-CHN-ELITE-ZHUHAI
Sabalenka beats Bertens to win third title of 2019
ZHUHAI, China, Oct 27, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Aryna Sabalenka won her third
singles title of the year — all in China — with a straight-sets victory
over top seed Kiki Bertens in the Elite Trophy Zhuhai final on Sunday.
The 21-year-old from Belarus eased to a 6-4, 6-2 victory over the
Dutchwoman in southern China to end her singles season on a high.
Ranked 14th in the world, the hard-hitting Sabalenka appears to enjoy
playing in China.
Her other two titles of 2019 came at Wuhan in September — when she
defeated Bertens in the last 16 — and in Shenzhen at the start of the year.
Sabalenka will compete in the coming week in doubles with the Belgian Elise
Mertens at the WTA Finals in nearby Shenzhen.
Zhuhai was Sabalenka’s fifth career WTA singles crown and the Belarusian
said she was running out of space at home for her growing collection of
silverware.
“I think we actually need to create a new room for the trophies,” said
Sabalenka.
“But right now like it’s no special room — my mum and my grandmother just
put it wherever space they have.
“But maybe (we will create) a special room and hopefully I’ll win a lot of
titles to put in there.”
Bertens, 10th in the world, is also rushing off to Shenzhen because she
will be a reserve there.
BSS/AFP/ARS/1543 hrs