William Burns' WTA Finals (Tennis) Predictions:

At the end of the year, the top eight tennis players in the world (WTA & ATP) compete against each other for another chance at a significant trophy. As a matter of fact, this tournament is the most significant tennis event in the calendar year (Grand Slam's not included.) That being said, there's tons to play for and I'm expecting some phenomenal matches to be played. This year's event is held from November 1-8.

#1 .. Aryna Sabalenka

Deservedly the number one seed. She's the most recent Grand Slam winner and has been the face of Women's Tennis over the past couple of years now along side Swiatek. Sabalenka is capable of dismantling everyone that is put in front of her with her sheer power and dominance on the court. She is the favorite coming into this tournament.

#2 .. Iga Swiatek

As mentioned in Sabalenka's analysis, Swiatek has been one of the best in the Women's game ever since she started playing professionally. Sort of coming out of nowhere, the Pole is still very young and eager for more greatness. She's got the hunger and determination to win every match and she definitely is one of the hardest workers on tour.

#3 .. Coco Gauff

Considering that Gauff won her most recent tournament in Wuhan, winning matches against both Paolini & Pegula along the way, I believe that her confidence will be sky high coming into this event. She's also an extremely young and star in the game. If she's playing her best, there's no question that Gauff can emerge as the WTA Finals champ. That's harder said that done though as she's not been her best this season since the French Open.

#4 .. Amanda Anisomova

Like Gauff, she's a killer when she's her best. Anisimova is coming off consecutive Grand Slam Finals appearances and even though she hasn't finished them necessarily well, she's definitely one of the best in the world and has the tools to contend with the best. Amanda dismantled Coco in the most recent encounter between the two and also beat Paolini in that same China Open en route to a Singles Title.

#5 .. Jessica Pegula

After four, the list drops off a tad in my eyes. However, I'm not going to say that anyone in the 5-8 ranking cannot win this event. Pegula knocked off Sabalenka in Wuhan and made the finals of that tournament. She also was a Semi-Finalist at the US Open a couple of months ago now. If she gets rolling, she can be right in the mix.

#6 .. Madison Keys

Considering that she hasn't played since being knocked out in the opening round of the US Open, it's hard to know what to expect from the fourth American in the WTA Finals. She's definitely had her moments this season, winning the Australian Open back in January. However, it hasn't really been the same Keys since. If she gets back to that level of play, she will do damage.

#7 .. Elena Rybakina

One of the most in form players at the moment despite withdrawing her recent tournament. Rybakina is always one of the most active players on tour, playing in as many tournaments as she can to have the best ranking possible. In the last tournament she was in and finished, she won it. She's won six consecutive matches and will be a threat to anyone if health isn't an issue.

#8 .. Jasmine Paolini

Sort of the "not talked about as much" player out of these eight, Paolini IS very much an excellent player in the Women's game. I don't expect her to be at the same level as some of the rest of the field given the current form that she's in. But, the 5'4" Italian is one of the grittiest players in the game and could cause problems to anyone. 

If you don't know the format, there will be two groups of four, each player playing each player in their respective group in a round robin style version of play. The top two players from each group will move on to the knockout stage, a mini Semi Finals/Finals to finish the tournament off. 
That being said, here's what I expect:

Considering the draws I believe that both Swiatek & Sabalenka should be able to move through to the knockout stage. Coco Gauff has been hit or miss this season, but should advance through the round robin faze as well. Even though I love Anisimova's game and believe that she can beat anybody when she's playing her best, she's going to have her hands full with both Rybakina and Keys in her group as will as Iga. That being said, I will predict the top four seeds all advancing to the semi's in Riyadh. 

Iga Swiatek at +260 via. DraftKings Sportsbook.