Simona Halep saved a match point before defeating Canadian teen Bianca Andreescu 3-6, 7-6, 6-3 at the WTA Finals in Shenzhen.
Both players sought medical treatment during the match, with Halep getting her foot treated while Andreescu had a lower back problem.
Elsewhere, defending champion Elina Svitolina stretched her unbeaten run at the season-ending tournament with a 7-6, 6-4 win over Karolina Pliskova.
Halep and Svitolina are now 1-0 in the Purple Group, while Andreescu and Pliskova are 0-1.
Nadal wishes he could play long enough for his son to remember him on court
Rafael Nadal said he would love to keep playing long enough for his son to remember him on court, though the 22-time Grand Slam champion concedes time is not on his side.
Man City humble Brighton to keep pressure on Arsenal
Phil Foden struck twice as Manchester City stepped up their bid for a fourth Premier League crown in a row with a ruthless 4-0 victory at Brighton & Hove Albion on Thursday.
FIFA signs global partnership deal with Saudi Aramco
World football governing body FIFA has signed a partnership with oil and gas conglomerate Saudi Aramco that will run through to the end of 2027, it said in a statement on Thursday.
Everton deal Liverpool big blow with shock 2-0 derby victory
Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored in a pulsating 2-0 home victory over Liverpool in the Merseyside derby on Wednesday that could prove to be the death of the visitors' withering Premier League title hopes.
Xavi to continue as Barcelona manager, LaLiga club confirms
Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez on Wednesday reversed his decision to step down at the end of the season and agreed to stay in charge of the LaLiga giants for the 2024-25 campaign, a club spokesperson said.
