Top-seeded Sabalenka out

GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Top seed Aryna Sabalenka crashed out of the WTA Finals in Guadalajara on Monday, losing a gruelling three-setter against Greek fourth seed Maria Sakkari.

Sakkari set up a semifinal against Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit after outlasting Sabalenka, 7-6 (7/1), 6-7 (6/8), 6-3 in two hours, 47 minutes.

“It was a rollercoaster match from both of us,” Sakkari said.

Sakkari, 26, is chasing only her second WTA title after a win at the Morocco Open in 2019.

The right-hander is competing at the end-of-season women’s championships in Mexico after a 2021 campaign that included semifinal appearances at the French Open and US Open.

The other semi is an all-Spanish showdown between Paula Badosa and Garbine Muguruza.