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.
Messi signs off in tears after one last Argentina master class
Lionel Messi has delivered one last master class in blue and white on Tuesday as Argentina's captain brought the curtain down on his extraordinary 21-year international career by scoring one goal and setting up two others in a 3-0 friendly win over Benin.
Spain rally to beat Croatia, Kane shines for England in Nations League
World champions Spain have recovered to beat Croatia 2-1 on Tuesday, with Mikel Merino scoring twice to extend their unbeaten run to 42 matches and seal a place in the Nations League quarter-finals on the final night of the fourth round of group-stage action.
Saudi Arabia defeat UAE to clinch Gulf Cup title
Saudi Arabia have been crowned Arabian Gulf Cup champions, beating the UAE 2-0 in the final in Jeddah to claim a fourth regional title.
Djokovic wins China Open as de Minaur retires injured
Novak Djokovic won his seventh China Open title after Australia's Alex de Minaur retired with a groin injury during the final on Tuesday.
India crush West Indies in first T20
Captain Shreyas Iyer hit a century as India beat the West Indies by eight wickets in the first Twenty20 of their five-match series in Lucknow on Tuesday.
