Victory over world number eight Paolini was Sabalenka’s 60th win of the year and her 12th over a top-10 opponent.
She has spent 63 weeks in total at the top of the world rankings, including 55 in a row since October last year.
Sabalenka has qualified for the year-end Finals for the past five years but has never won the title. She was runner-up to Caroline Garcia in 2022.
The 27-year-old was imperious against Paolini, who is the only player competing in the singles and doubles tournaments.
The pair traded breaks in the first set before Sabalenka powered on, winning six games in a row to close out the opener and take a 4-0 lead in the second.
Paolini got on the board and took Sabalenka to deuce in the next game, but big first serves helped Sabalenka to hold, and Paolini barely threatened from there on.
“I’m getting better and better every day,” said Sabalenka.
