Paolini defeats Rybakina 7-6, 6-4 at the debut in Riyadh in WTA finals
The final kick-off began in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as the world’s elite eight gathered for the final championship of the season. Ten months ago, Elena Rybakina was firing on all cylinders, winning in Brisbane (d. Sabalenka) and Abu Dhabi (d. Kasatkina) and in WTA 1000 in Dubai, lost to eventual champion Jasmine Paolini of Italy.
The twenty-five-year-old reached two more finals in both 1000 level (Doha and Miami) before triumphing on clay at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, where en route to the final, she conquered Paolini in the quarters in three. However, the Italian would get his revenge on the Grand Slam stage at Roland Garros with a three-set victory in the quarters.
Paolini, three years older, started the year just inside the top thirty and is now at a career-high four. In a stellar season, she won her first WTA 1000 title in Dubai and reached two consecutive Grand Slam finals at the French Open (l. Swiatek) and Wimbledon (l. Krejcikova).
While Paolini may have run out of gas since late summer, Rybakina pulled the plug after the grass court season due to a series of injuries and illnesses. She competes for the first time since New York and without a coach.
Agency Fotogramma / Ipa
Yesterday, 2022 The Wimbledon champion announced that he had hired 2001 Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic. old world #2 and Novak Djokovic’s coach is not in Riyadh but will start the partnership next month.
Current World #5 is competing in it 2n.d WTA Finals, Paolini first. Paolini led head to head 3-2 securing two of the three via dismissal and mid-match retirement.
Italian and #4 the seed won the toss and was elected to serve. She did 4/6 first serves and is held for him 30 while Rybakina hit three winners in a row including two aces to level.
Paolini led 40-15 after a great shot down the line, but faced deuce before stopping as Rybakina made 3/4 first served and cherished for 2-2. Paolini hit her first ace and double fault and held on despite facing three breaks and break points.
Rybakina breaking her inability to break, served the first double fault and dropped serve. Paolini lost 3/6 first serve and with an incorrect return, returned the break. Rybakina serving with new balls hit two winners in a row, including another ace, and consolidated the break for 4-4.
Paolini faced another break point and deuce, but held with three straight first serves. Rybakina serving to stay in the set opened with an ace on the ball and with another, she leveled at five. Paolini served another double fault and faced three hits and a break point, but held on with an outstanding display of defense and attack.
Rybakina served once more to hold the set and force the breaker. Even though he missed it 5/6 first serves, she hit two spectacular winners and held 30 ABOUT 6-6.
Paolini ran in one 6-2 lead after a flurry of errors from her opponent, but Rybakina drew two of her own and clawed back to 5-6. The Italian converted her remaining set point when Rybakina made another forehand.
Rybakina served first in the second and despite facing two break points and two deuces, held with four spectacular winners including her sixth ace. Paolini faced break points and deuces in her first service game, but held after an error from Rybakina.
of 5The third seed opened the third with her seventh ace and held it easily 15 with a sharp burst behind. Paolini serving with new balls, lost 5/6 the first still serves 30 ABOUT 2-2. Rybakina grabbed two forehand winners – down the line and inside to lead 3-2 while Paolini remained with love to level.
Rybakina lost 3/5 first serves, faced triple break point and dropped serve when she hit a backhand slice. Paolini pumped and eager to consolidate, hit two winners including her second ace on game point for 5-3.
Rybakina serving to stay in the match lost 3/5 the former still serves 15 with an incredible parade down the line. Paolini reached double match point with a fantastic cross-court forehand and was back on target when Rybakina hit another backhand.
Rybakina was rusty, stiff but respectable. She struck 8 ace, and 1 double fault and won 69First % and 57% of second serve points. She escaped 3/5 breakpoints during conversion 1/5. She was scary when she came back, winning 30First % and 44% of second serve return points. While she hit more than twice as many winners as Paolini (27/12) she donated another thirty-four unforced errors (56/22).
It was a thoughtful and prepared performance by Paolini in the debut of the event. She won 70First % and 56% of second serve points and saves 4/5 breakpoints during conversion 2/5. While she lacks the height and core strength of her opponent, she is mentally resilient and athletically gifted.
Given Rybakina’s wonderful serve, the Italian did well to win 31First % and 43% of second serve return points. Alongside her compatriot Sara Errani, she also competes in the doubles competition.
In the round competition, she will face 2024 Australian Open finalist and Olympic gold medalist Qinwen Zheng as Rybakina takes on the world #1Aryna Sabalenka.
