Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina Advance to WTA Finals Championship
Aryna Sabalenka will face Elena Rybakina in the WTA Finals final, as both compete for their first year-end title and a record payout. The top two players in Riyadh won tough three-set semifinals on Friday to secure their spots in the championship match.
Elena Rybakina's Comeback Victory
Rybakina reached the year-end final for the first time, coming from behind to defeat Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. This victory marked her 10th consecutive match win.
Aryna Sabalenka's Win Over Amanda Anisimova
Sabalenka defeated Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 to join Rybakina in the final. Both players remain undefeated in the tournament, each holding a 3-0 record in the round-robin stage.
Battle for the Title and Record Payout
The championship match on Saturday will not only be for the inaugural year-end trophy for these players but also for the highest-ever payout of $5.235 million, reserved for an unbeaten winner.
Key Moments in the Semifinals
- Rybakina won four of the last five games to seal her win over Pegula.
- Sabalenka finished strong with four consecutive games to overcome Anisimova’s surge.
"Runner-up to Caroline Garcia in the 2022 final, Sabalenka is only the third player in the last decade to reach the WTA Finals final ranked world No. 1, after Angelique Kerber in 2016 and Ashleigh Barty in 2019."
Both athletes have demonstrated resilience and skill throughout the tournament, setting the stage for a thrilling final showdown.
Summary: Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina, both undefeated in Riyadh, will compete for their first WTA Finals title and a record $5.235 million prize in Saturday’s championship match.