Fiery Rybakina Takes Down Sabalenka 6–3, 7–6 to Capture Her First WTA Finals Title
It all came down to this… Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning 2025 US Open champion and world #1, squared off against the 2022 Wimbledon champion and world #6, Elena Rybakina, in the epic showdown for the title at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
With neither player having previously claimed the season-ending championship, Rybakina’s journey had been anything but straightforward. To book her ticket to Riyadh and take Miira Andreeva’s spot, the twenty-six-year-old Kazakh had to clinch the title in Ningbo and then advance to the semis in Tokyo. Against all odds—or perhaps fueled by them—she triumphed and arrived at the championship match in Riyadh with an unblemished record.
Like her rival, Sabalenka also entered the final undefeated, though she had dropped two sets along the way. After struggling in the semifinals in the past two years, and having lost in the 2022 final to Caroline Garcia, she was determined to flip the script this time around—while Rybakina aimed to break her round-robin curse from previous years.
(AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)
When Sabalenka triumphed over Gauff in her last round-robin match, it ensured that a new champion would emerge. Alongside the prestigious trophy was a check for a staggering $5.2 million as an undefeated champion. Despite Sabalenka holding a commanding lead in their head-to-head at 8–5, they had split their last two encounters on hard courts. Rybakina won the toss and opted to serve first.
The sixth seed quickly held with an ace, while Sabalenka battled through two deuces and a break point before managing to hold her serve. Rybakina showcased her power, firing two more aces, while Sabalenka responded with an overhead smash to level the score.
In the match’s crucial moments, Rybakina saved a break point by delivering stunning groundstroke winners and took the lead to 3–2 as Sabalenka struggled with unforced errors. Both players demonstrated impressive pace and depth, but Rybakina maintained her composure even under pressure.
After Rybakina faced a double break point, she bounced back to consolidate her lead with a phenomenal performance, breaking Sabalenka’s serve. When the world #1 served to stay in the set, she encountered two deuces but held firm with well-placed serves, earning her first ace. With impressive precision, Rybakina took the set 6–3.
As the second set began, Sabalenka responded with vigor, holding serve with an astonishing cross-court forehand. Rybakina retaliated with three aces to level the match. Sabalenka, however, faced challenges of her own, stepping up to deliver powerful serves despite missing several first serves.
Rybakina maintained her focus, not backing down even as she faced tricky break points. Sabalenka, rediscovering her rhythm, led the set at 6–5 with a stellar hold, while Rybakina answered back with her own crucial winners.
In a thrilling tiebreak, Rybakina kept her nerves steady while Sabalenka struggled, ultimately falling victim to unforced errors. Rybakina sealed her first title with her 13th ace, highlighting an unforgettable run as tournament underdog.
With an impressive lineup of statistics—13 aces, just 2 double faults, a remarkable 72% win rate on first serves, and the fortitude to overcome every break point—Rybakina proved unstoppable both on her serve and return, winning significant points against her rival.
As the season concludes, Sabalenka remains world #1 for the second consecutive year, but the thrill of the match leaves fans eager for what 2026 holds, anticipating a vibrant new generation of players ready to shake up women’s tennis.
