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Elena Rybakina Stuns World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to Win WTA Finals Crown in Riyadh
Elena Rybakina beats world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 7-6 to win the WTA Finals in Riyadh, becoming the first Kazakh and Asian player to claim the singles crown.
Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina produced a stunning performance to defeat world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 7-6(7/0) and claim the WTA Finals title in Riyadh on Saturday — her biggest victory since winning Wimbledon in 2022.
The world No. 6 delivered another serving masterclass, firing 13 aces and showing exceptional composure on returns to become the first Kazakh and the first player representing Asia to win the prestigious season-ending championship.
Rybakina, who swept through the round-robin stage 3-0, earned a record-breaking $5.235 million prize and will finish the 2024 season ranked world No. 5.
“It’s an amazing feeling. This week was incredible, and to finish the year like this means a lot,” Rybakina said after lifting the trophy.
The 25-year-old entered the finals as the last player to qualify for the elite eight-woman field after capturing the Ningbo Open title and reaching the Tokyo semifinals. Her current winning streak now stands at 11 matches, and she improved her career record against Sabalenka to 6–8.
The much-anticipated clash between the two power hitters lived up to expectations. Rybakina broke Sabalenka in the sixth game of the first set after forcing an error with a deep defensive lob, then served out the opener in just 44 minutes.
In the second set, Rybakina dominated her service games, conceding only two points through her first four. Sabalenka fought off four break points and even earned two set points late in the set, but Rybakina held firm to push it into a tiebreak.
From there, the Kazakh star was flawless — winning all seven points to close the match in one hour and 47 minutes.
Despite the defeat, Sabalenka achieved a milestone of her own: she set a new WTA Tour record for the highest single-season prize money, earning $15,008,519, surpassing Serena Williams’ 2013 record of $12.3 million.
Rybakina’s triumph in Riyadh cements her place among the sport’s elite and caps a season defined by consistency, resilience, and relentless power.
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