Pink-hot Rybakina subdues Sabalenka 6-3, 7-6 to win maiden WTA Finals
After which there have been two… Aryna Sabalenka, the 2025 US Open champion and world #1, took on the 2022 Wimbledon champion and world #6, Elena Rybakina, within the title match on the WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Neither had received the season-ending championship, and for Rybakina, a top-eight end was something however sure because the common season got here to a detailed. To qualify for Riyadh and exchange Miira Andreeva, the twenty-six-year-old Kazakh needed to win the title in Ningbo and, the next week, attain the semis in Tokyo. In opposition to all odds—or maybe due to them—she conquered these obstacles and reached the championship match in Riyadh undefeated.
Sabalenka, like her opponent, went undefeated, dropping two units en path to the ultimate. The highest seed from Belarus misplaced within the penultimate around the previous two years and reached the ultimate in 2022, dropping to Caroline Garcia in two tight units, whereas Rybakina didn’t progress out of the round-robin stage the previous two years.
(AP Picture/Fatima Shbair)
When Sabalenka defeated Gauff in her closing round-robin match, a first-time champion was assured. Together with the trophy, a examine for $5.2 million {dollars} as an undefeated champion was on the road. Whereas Sabalenka led the head-to-head 8-5, they cut up the final two this season, each on hardcourt. Rybakina received the toss and elected to serve.
The sixth seed held simply with an ace out extensive, whereas the highest seed confronted two deuce and a break level earlier than holding to degree. Rybakina struck two extra aces and held to 30, whereas Sabalenka held to like with an overhead smash.
The 2022 Wimbledon champion confronted a break level within the fifth recreation, however with two consecutive aces, held for 3-2 whereas Sabalenka gifted three consecutive unforced errors to dump serve. Whereas each hit with tempo and depth, Sabalenka usually appeared flat-footed. Rybakina by no means appeared rushed, even when pulled out extensive or drawn into the web.
Rybakina confronted a double break level however saved them with two excellent groundstroke winners and consolidated the break when Sabalenka missed extensive with a backhand down the road. The world #1 served to remain within the set and with new balls. Though she confronted two deuce factors, she held with well-placed serves, together with her first ace. Rybakina made 5/6 first serves and, with two implausible forehand winners, secured the set 6-3. Sabalenka left the court docket following the conclusion of the opening set. She served first within the second and held to 30 with an enormous cross-court forehand. Rybakina upped the ante, placing three aces for a love maintain to degree.
Sabalenka missed 4/8 first serves, confronted double break level and deuce, but held when her opponent netted the return. Rybakina missed 3/4 first serves however held at love with two exceptional forehands – one crosscourt, the opposite inside-in whereas Sabalenka held to 30 with an ace out extensive.
Rybakina hit three consecutive winners, together with her 9th ace, to degree at three. The highest seed let 40-15 however confronted deuce earlier than holding for 4-3 when she crushed a crosscourt forehand. Rybakina, serving with new balls, donated her first double fault however with three consecutive winners together with one other ace, leveled at 4.
Sabalenka, feeling the strain and embracing it, dug deep to flee two deuce and a double break level with two consecutive colossal serves, together with an ace up the tee.Rybakina opened the tenth together with her second double fault and struggled to discover a first serve. She confronted two deuce and a double set level but held when Sabalenka dedicated three uncharacteristic and dear errors.
Sabalenka buried the frustration and rose to the event, ripping three consecutive winners, together with two aces for a love maintain to steer 6-5! Rybakina serving to remain within the set and drive the breaker replied in sort with three consecutive winners, together with two extra aces.
Sabalenka, famend for her distinctive tiebreak file together with 18-9 profession versus high ten opponents, gifted six unforced errors and conceded the match following Rybakina’s 13th ace.It was a exceptional efficiency from an athlete who certified every week earlier than play commenced. She performed with poise and with out concern. All through the match, she stored her foot on the gasoline and by no means allowed her opponent to achieve momentum and confidence.
She completed with 13 aces, 2 double faults, and received 72% of first and a staggering 73% of second serve factors. She saved 5/5 break factors whereas changing 1/6. She was equally dominant when returning, successful a powerful 35% of first and 48% of second serve returns.
Whereas Sabalenka will rue her incapacity to transform a break level (0/5) she finishes the season as world #1 for the second consecutive 12 months. Whereas there may be solely a semblance of an low season, I sit up for 2026 because the WTA Tour shines a lightweight on the most effective of a brand new era, difficult the elite ensconced on the high.
