<p>World number one Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus grabbed a 6-2 3-5 lead over fourth-ranked Elena Rybakina and boosted her chances of securing a semi-final berth at the WTA Finals in Cancun before play was suspended due to rain on Thursday night.</p><p>Sabalenka, who powered past Greek Maria Sakkari but lost to Jessica Pegula, put on a dominant performance in the first set against the big-serving Kazakh as rain caused multiple interruptions in what was a rematch of the Australian Open final.</p><p>Rybakina found her groove during the second set before play was suspended for the night in Mexico.</p><p>"Play is suspended for the night due to rain," the WTA said on X, formerly known as Twitter.</p>.<p>"The conclusion of this match and (Coco) Gauff/Pegula vs. (Laura) Siegemund/(Vera) Zvonareva will be moved to Friday's Order of Play."</p>.It is okay to play ‘bad tennis’!.<p>Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek are in contention for the year-end number-one singles ranking. The Australian Open champion overtook the four-time major winner Swiatek and captured the top spot after the US Open.</p><p>The 25-year-old Sabalenka will retain the number one spot if she goes undefeated in round-robin play or makes the final.</p><p>American Pegula booked a semi-final spot at the season-ending tournament with a 6-3 6-2 victory over Sakkari, who came into the match knowing she was already eliminated.</p>
<p>World number one Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus grabbed a 6-2 3-5 lead over fourth-ranked Elena Rybakina and boosted her chances of securing a semi-final berth at the WTA Finals in Cancun before play was suspended due to rain on Thursday night.</p><p>Sabalenka, who powered past Greek Maria Sakkari but lost to Jessica Pegula, put on a dominant performance in the first set against the big-serving Kazakh as rain caused multiple interruptions in what was a rematch of the Australian Open final.</p><p>Rybakina found her groove during the second set before play was suspended for the night in Mexico.</p><p>"Play is suspended for the night due to rain," the WTA said on X, formerly known as Twitter.</p>.<p>"The conclusion of this match and (Coco) Gauff/Pegula vs. (Laura) Siegemund/(Vera) Zvonareva will be moved to Friday's Order of Play."</p>.It is okay to play ‘bad tennis’!.<p>Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek are in contention for the year-end number-one singles ranking. The Australian Open champion overtook the four-time major winner Swiatek and captured the top spot after the US Open.</p><p>The 25-year-old Sabalenka will retain the number one spot if she goes undefeated in round-robin play or makes the final.</p><p>American Pegula booked a semi-final spot at the season-ending tournament with a 6-3 6-2 victory over Sakkari, who came into the match knowing she was already eliminated.</p>