The highly anticipated WTA Finals last-four encounter between Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek was suspended on Saturday with just three games played as rain continued to wreak havoc on the end-of-season showdown in Cancun.

It’s been a running theme of the event, with heavy downpours causing relentless delays and schedule changes, the latest of which forced the two highest-ranked female players off the court before organisers decided the match would not be resumed until Sunday.

Sabalenka, the world No. 1, was trailing 2-1 and serving at 30-30 when the rain arrived.

Earlier on Saturday, Jessica Pegula was able to complete a 6-1 6-2 dismantling of her fellow American Coco Gauff in the other semi-final. She awaits the winner in the final, which is now scheduled for Monday at 4.30pm and could have a significant advantage given the extra rest she’ll have had.

Pegula has been in supreme form this week, defying the conditions to progress with three straight wins before blasting past Gauff.

Gauff, who qualified second out of the Chetumal Group, was no match for the world No. 5 who hasn’t dropped a set en route to the final.

“I managed to get my act together at the end of the year,” Pegula said. “I’ve done a good job of resetting coming here.

“It’s not fun leaving [Fort Worth] 0-6. I’m glad I’ve turned the tables. I found a way to make it work. I’m feeling confident going into the finals.”

Swiatek secured her passage into the semi-finals with three straight group-stage victories, while Sabalenka faced a winner-takes-all clash with Elena Rybakina to qualify.