Hot Rybakina defeats Sabalenka 6-3, 7-6 to win the girl WTA finals
And then there were two… Aryna Sabalenka, e 2025 US Open Champion and World #1took over 2022 Wimbledon champion and the world #6Elena Rybakina, in the title match at WTA The final in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Neither had won the season-ending championship, and for Rybakina, a top-eight finish was anything but certain as the regular season drew to a close. To qualify for Riyadh and replace Miira Andreeva, the twenty-six-year-old Kazakh needed to win the title in Ningbo and reach the semi-finals in Tokyo next week. Against the odds — or perhaps because of them — she overcame those obstacles and reached the championship match in Riyadh undefeated.
Sabalenka, like her opponent, went undefeated, dropping two sets en route to the final. The top seed from Belarus lost in the penultimate round the last two years and reached the final 2022losing to Caroline Garcia in two tight sets, while Rybakina failed to get out of the round-robin stage the last two years.
(AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)
When Sabalenka defeated Gauff in her final round match, a first-time champion was assured. Along with the trophy, a check for $5.2 million dollars as an undefeated champion was on the line. While Sabalenka led head to head 8-5they split the last two this season, both on hard court. Rybakina won the break and elected to serve.
The sixth seed easily held on with a wide ace, while the top seed faced two shots and a break point before holding level. Rybakina hit two extra aces and held 30while Sabalenka stayed in love with an overhead smash.
of 2022 The Wimbledon champion faced a break point in the fifth game, but two aces in a row held for 3-2 while Sabalenka served three consecutive unforced errors to drop serve. While both hit with pace and depth, Sabalenka often looked flat-footed. Rybakina never appeared rushed, even when pulling wide or pulling to the net.
Rybakina faced a double break point but saved them with two incredible groundstroke winners and consolidated the break when Sabalenka missed out with a backhand. the world #1 served to stay in the set and with new balls. Although she faced two points, she held well-placed serves, including her first ace. Rybakina did 5/6 serves first and, with two fantastic forehand winners, secures the set 6-3. Sabalenka left the court after the opening set. She served first in the second and held 30 with a large cross-court bias. Rybakina upped the ante, hitting three aces to hold a love level.
Sabalenka lost 4/8 first serves, faced double break and deuce points, but held when her opponent scored a return. Rybakina lost 3/4 first serve, but in love with two incredible backhands – one on the court, the other inside, as Sabalenka held 30 with an ace out wide.
Rybakina hit three winners in a row, including that one 9Ace of th, to level in three. Top seed let 40-15 but faced deuce before holding for 4-3 when she pressed a crossed forehead. Rybakina, serving with new balls, gave away her first double fault, but with three winners in a row, including another ace, leveled at four.
Sabalenka, feeling the pressure and embracing it, dug deep to save two deuces and a double break point with two consecutive colossal serves, including an ace on the tee.
Rybakina opened the tenth with a second double fault and struggled to find the first serve. She faced two deuces and a double set point still held when Sabalenka made three uncharacteristic and costly errors.
Sabalenka buried the disappointment and rose to the occasion, reeling off three straight winners, including two aces for a love hold to lead 6-5! Rybakina serving to hold the set and force the breaker responded in kind with three straight winners, including two extra aces.
Sabalenka, known for her outstanding tiebreak record, including 18-9 career against top ten opponents, gave up six unforced errors and conceded the match behind Rybakina 13th ace.
It was a remarkable performance from an athlete who qualified a week before the start of the Games. She played calmly and fearlessly. Throughout the match, she kept her foot on the gas and never allowed her opponent to gain momentum and confidence.
It ended with 13 ace, 2 double faults, and won 72First % and a shocking one 73% of second serve points. She escaped 5/5 breakpoints during conversion 1/6. She was just as dominant when she returned, winning an impressive 35First % and 48Second serve return %.
While Sabalenka will rue her inability to convert a break point (0/5) she ends the season as world #1 for the second year in a row. While there’s only one glimpse of the offseason, I’m looking forward to it 2026 HOW WTA The tournament shines a light on the best of a new generation, challenging the established elite at the top.
