Key Highlights
- Elena Rybakina completed a clean sweep of her group at the WTA Finals with a 6-4 6-4 win over Ekaterina Alexandrova.
- Rybakina’s victory secured her progression to the semi-finals despite not having progressed past the fourth round in any Grand Slam tournament this year.
- Ekaterina Alexandrova, a late call-up and second alternate, was unable to take advantage of the opportunity against Rybakina.
- Rybakina’s win over Iga Swiatek earlier in the week kept her momentum going into the semi-finals.
Tennis at the WTA Finals: Elena Rybakina’s Dominance Continues
Elena Rybakina, the sixth seed in this year’s Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Finals, has demonstrated consistent form throughout the tournament. After defeating both Amanda Anisimova and Iga Swiatek earlier in the week, Rybakina secured a clean sweep of her group by beating Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-4 6-4.
With this victory, Rybakina advanced to the semi-finals, marking an impressive performance at the prestigious event. Her success is particularly noteworthy as she did not progress beyond the fourth round in any Grand Slam tournament this year until her shock win over Swiatek on Monday – her first victory over Swiatek from five meetings.
Match Details and Key Moments
The match against Alexandrova, a late call-up due to the withdrawal of Madison Keys due to illness, was not without its challenges for Rybakina. The Kazakh player faced a tough start but managed to break Alexandrova early in the second set, leading 5-4.
Despite her big-serving prowess and physicality, Rybakina struggled at the end of the match, saving two break points in her next service game before ultimately securing victory on her second match point. The match showcased both players’ strengths: Rybakina’s relentless pressure and Alexandrova’s struggle to maintain consistency under pressure.
Future Prospects and Implications
Rybakina’s performance at the WTA Finals has significant implications for her career, as it solidifies her status among the top players in women’s tennis. Meanwhile, Alexandrova, 30 years old and the third-oldest player to debut in the top 10, continues to make waves despite the disappointment of this match.
The WTA Finals continue with key matches lined up for Wednesday, including Aryna Sabalenka’s clash against Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula’s matchup against Jasmine Paolini. These contests will determine who progresses from the Serena Williams Group to the semi-finals.
In doubles, Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens secured their semi-final berth with a 6-3 6-3 victory over Paolini and Sara Errani. Their advancement joins Hsieh Su-Wei and Jelena Ostapenko in advancing from the Martina Navratilova Group.
