Zhuhai: Sabalenka, Mertens big winners on Day 1

No.3 seed Aryna Sabalenka started her WTA Elite Trophy campaign with a bang defeating No.9 seed Ashleigh Barty 6-4 6-4 in the Orchid Group.

The Belarusian, who is the youngest player to ever compete in the tournament, has won 11 of her last 13 matches and has 46 match wins on the year.

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“I’m so happy with this start with a win,” Sabalenka said after the match.

“Now is the last tournament, and probably after I will try to do something. But at the moment, we’re just trying to find the way how I can improve more.”

Aryna Sabalenka seals the first win at the @WTAEliteTrophy!

Defeats Barty 6-4, 6-4! pic.twitter.com/AD6sFqrMOj

— WTA (@WTA) October 30, 2018

In the Azalea Group, No.1 seed Daria Kastakina survived an inspired Wang Qiang 6-1 2-6 7-5, and in the Rose Group No.4 seed Elise Mertens cruised to a 6-3 6-1 victory over No.10 seed Anett Kontaveit.

It was an impressive WTA Elity Trophy debut for Mertens – after winning three consecutive games to close off the first set, the Belgian rattled off a further five straight games to win in just 66 minutes.

“I think [the key was] a lot of variety, the spin ball, the slice, because she likes to hit flat and really hard,” Mertens said in her press conference.

“Also to get that one more ball back in the court, I think that made a difference a little bit.”

The 22-year-old is scheduled to play defending champion Julia Goerges up next.

“I’ve never really played [Goerges] before,” Mertens said.

“It’s going to be an interesting match for sure. She’s defending champion. She feels pretty well here on the court. The court fits to her.”

Thank you for all the support today????? @WTAEliteTrophy #goodwin #rose #Zhuhai pic.twitter.com/GYmReZoWSR

— Elise Mertens (@elise_mertens) October 30, 2018

Goerges will first kick off day two action in Zhuhai with a match against Anett Kontaveit.

Daria Kastakina will then clash with American Madison Keys in a hugely anticipated contested, followed by two-time Grand Slam champion Garbine Muguruza taking on Shuai Zhang.