Red-hot Rybakina subdues Sabalenka 6-3, 7-6 to win maiden WTA Finals

And then there were two… Aryna Sabalenka, the 2025 US Open champion and world #1, took on the 2022 Wimbledon champion and world #6, Elena Rybakina, in the title match at the WTA Finals 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 came to a close. To qualify for Riyadh and replace Miira Andreeva, the twenty-six-year-old Kazakh had to win the title in Ningbo and, the following week, reach the semis in Tokyo. Against all odds—or perhaps because of them—she conquered 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 past two years and reached the final in 2022, losing to Caroline Garcia in two tight sets, while Rybakina failed to progress out of the round-robin stage the past two years.

(AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)

When Sabalenka defeated Gauff in her final round-robin match, a first-time champion was guaranteed. Along with the trophy, a check for $5.2 million dollars as an undefeated champion was on the line. While Sabalenka led the head-to-head 8-5, they split the last two this season, both on hardcourt. Rybakina won the toss and elected to serve.

The sixth seed held easily with an ace out wide, while the top seed faced two deuce and a break point before holding to level. Rybakina struck two additional aces and held to 30, while Sabalenka held to love with an overhead smash.

The 2022 Wimbledon champion faced a break point in the fifth game, but with two consecutive aces, held for 3-2 while Sabalenka gifted three consecutive unforced errors to dump serve. While both hit with pace and depth, Sabalenka often seemed flat-footed. Rybakina never appeared rushed, even when pulled out wide or drawn into the net.

Rybakina faced a double break point but saved them with two outstanding groundstroke winners and consolidated the break when Sabalenka missed wide with a backhand down the line. The world #1 served to stay in the set and with new balls. Although she faced two deuce points, she held with well-placed serves, including her first ace. Rybakina made 5/6 first serves and, with two fantastic forehand winners, secured the set 6-3. Sabalenka left the court following the conclusion of the opening set. She served first in the second and held to 30 with a huge cross-court forehand. Rybakina upped the ante, striking three aces for a love hold to level.

Sabalenka missed 4/8 first serves, faced double break point and deuce, yet held when her opponent netted the return. Rybakina missed 3/4 first serves but held at love with two remarkable forehands – one crosscourt, the other inside-in while Sabalenka held to 30 with an ace out wide.

Rybakina hit three consecutive winners, including her 9th ace, to level at three. The top seed let 40-15 but faced deuce before holding for 4-3 when she crushed a crosscourt forehand. Rybakina, serving with new balls, donated her first double fault but with three consecutive winners including another ace, leveled at four.

Sabalenka, feeling the pressure and embracing it, dug deep to escape two deuce and a double break point with two consecutive colossal serves, including an ace up the tee.
Rybakina opened the tenth with her second double fault and struggled to find a first serve. She faced two deuce and a double set point yet held when Sabalenka committed three uncharacteristic and costly errors.  

Sabalenka buried the disappointment and rose to the occasion, ripping three consecutive winners, including two aces for a love hold to lead 6-5! Rybakina serving to stay in the set and force the breaker replied in kind with three consecutive winners, including two additional aces.

Sabalenka, renowned for her exceptional tiebreak record including 18-9 career versus top ten opponents, gifted six unforced errors and conceded the match following Rybakina’s 13th ace.
It was a remarkable performance from an athlete who qualified a week before play commenced. She played with poise and without fear. Throughout the match, she kept her foot on the gas and never allowed her opponent to gain momentum and confidence.

She finished with 13 aces, 2 double faults, and won 72% of first and a staggering 73% of second serve points. She saved 5/5 break points while converting 1/6. She was equally dominant when returning, winning an impressive 35% of first and 48% of second serve returns.

While Sabalenka will rue her inability to convert a break point (0/5) she finishes the season as world #1 for the second consecutive year. While there is only a semblance of an off-season, I look forward to 2026 as the WTA Tour shines a light on the best of a new generation, challenging the elite ensconced at the top.