Elena Rybakina beat Aryna Sabalenka in the last match of the Purple Group at the 2024 WTA Finals in Riyadh.
Rybakina and Sabalenka are among the fiercest rivals on the WTA Tour. Not only because they are both Grand Slam champions and ranked highly in the rankings, but also because of their play styles.
Both have powerful serves and hit the ball very hard from the baseline. Nothing else was expected in their meeting in Riyadh, which was already the tenth match between the two.
Sabalenka won six of those matches, and while she certainly wanted another one in Riyadh, it was a dead rubber match. While Sabalenka secured her semi-final spot at the event, Rybakina couldn't advance anymore, meaning that the match wasn't about advancing or not but 'only' about 200 points and prize money.
The Kazakhstani player started the match better, breaking in the first game, but she was immediately broken back and also fell behind 1-3 in the first set of the match.
She then broke back, and not only that. Rybakina staged an impressive comeback in the first set of the match to go from 1-3 down to win it 6-4, securing her second set at the 2024 WTA Finals.
Naturally, Sabalenka had a response ready. In the second set, both players were serving well, but the Belarusian player was slightly better. She had the only break points of the set, and in the eighth game, she converted her fourth chance to lead 5-3.
She then easily confirmed that break of serve with a hold to win the second set 6-3 and send the match into the decider. Although there wasn't anything to win in the match apart from the points and money, both still fought hard.
In the third set, however, Sabalenka couldn't keep the same intensity. After tying the scoreboard at 1-1, she lost 14 of the next 15 rallies, quickly founding herself down 1-4 and 0-30.
Rybakina is too experienced to lose that kind of lead, and she didn't. She was able to hold her serve and also break once more to win the match 6-4, 3-6, 6-1.
Rybakina was happy to end her season with a victory, even though she lost out on the semi-final spot due to her first two losses at the tournament.
"It was a tough match. I’m really happy I managed to win. It’s nice to finish the year with at least one win against the World No. 1. She has all the chances to win also. Good luck to her."
"I’m just happy. Thank you so much, guys, for the support. Every match I played here was a bit better. It’s not easy after such a long break. Today, I served really well."
"From both sides we made mistakes, sometimes it was lucky for me. Overall I think it was a good one for me. I’m really enjoying the atmosphere. Thanks again for all the support."