Top seed Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus opened her WTA Finals campaign with a straight-sets win over Italy's Jasmine Paolini on Sunday.

Top seed Aryna Sabalenka kicked off her WTA Finals campaign with a dominant 6-3 6-1 win over Jasmine Paolini on Sunday. [photo:xinhua]

Sabalenka arrived on a four-match winning streak against the eighth-ranked Paolini. She broke early after holding serve, and although Paolini broke back in the seventh game, Sabalenka responded immediately and took the first set 6-3. In the second set, Sabalenka broke three times to close out a 6-1 win.

Despite the scoreline, Sabalenka was tested on serve and was pushed to deuce several times. She held firm in key moments, leaning on 11 aces and aggressive baseline play to fend off pressure.

"We've played a lot, and every time it's a tough battle," Sabalenka said afterward. "It doesn't matter what the score is. I know I always have to stay focused, and if you give her an opportunity, she's going to step in and take control of the game. So, I think I'm most happy with my focus today."

Sabalenka is seeking her first title at the season-ending event, in what is her fifth consecutive appearance. "I know there is a round robin, but I'm trying to take this tournament as a regular tournament, and I know that I have to win five matches if I want to hold this beautiful trophy. So basically, my mindset is just to go out there and compete and fight for every match," she said.

In the other match of the day, defending champion and third seed Coco Gauff committed 17 double faults in a 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-2 loss to fellow American Jessica Pegula.