Elena Rybakina capped off a challenging 2024 season with a high-profile victory over world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka at the WTA Finals in Riyadh. In a thrilling final round-robin match, Rybakina triumphed 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, delivering one of the biggest upsets of the tournament and ending her campaign on a positive note, despite already being eliminated from the semi-final contention.
Entering the match with no chance to advance to the next stage after losses to Jasmine Paolini and Zheng Qinwen in her previous round-robin encounters, Rybakina’s performance against Sabalenka was a testament to her resilience and determination. Sabalenka, on the other hand, had already secured her spot in the semi-finals by defeating both Paolini and Zheng, making this match a dead rubber for both players in terms of progression. However, Rybakina had made it clear she intended to fight hard and make life difficult for the world No. 1, regardless of the outcome.
### **Rybakina Defeats Sabalenka in Stunning Three-Set Thriller**
The match saw Rybakina produce some of her best tennis of the year. In the first set, she came back from a 1-3 deficit to break Sabalenka three times, ultimately sealing the set 6-4. With this win, Rybakina became the first player in the tournament to take a set off Sabalenka in Riyadh, a significant achievement given the Belarusian’s dominant form throughout the year.
Sabalenka responded in the second set, breaking Rybakina at 4-3 to level the match at 1-1. The set was a much tighter contest, with both players showcasing their powerful serves and aggressive baseline play. However, Rybakina was determined not to let the match slip away, and she dominated the final set, breaking Sabalenka twice and closing out the match 6-1. The victory was a statement from Rybakina, showing her ability to rise to the occasion even when the stakes were no longer high.
“It was a tough match,” Rybakina reflected in her post-match interview. “I’m really happy I managed to win. It’s nice to finish the year with at least one win against the world No. 1. She has all the chances to win also. Good luck to her.”
Rybakina expressed her gratitude towards the fans and the support she received throughout the match, particularly as she had been on a break for an extended period before the tournament. “Every match I played here was a bit better,” she said. “It’s not easy after such a long break. Today I served really well. From both sides we made mistakes, sometimes it was lucky for me. Overall I think it was a good one for me. I’m really enjoying the atmosphere. Thanks again for all the support.”
### **A Historic Win for Rybakina**
Rybakina’s victory over Sabalenka was more than just a win; it was a historic achievement. By defeating Sabalenka, Rybakina became the first player to beat the newly crowned world No. 1 since the Belarusian claimed the top spot just a week earlier. Prior to this loss, Sabalenka had been on a remarkable 19-match winning streak, having not lost a match since early August, with her only defeat coming at the hands of Karolina Muchova in Beijing last month.
This victory added to Rybakina’s growing reputation as one of the most formidable players on the WTA Tour. With the win, she became only the fourth player in history to secure six or more victories against world No. 1 players within a two-season span since the WTA Rankings were introduced. Since the start of 2023, Rybakina has beaten top-ranked Iga Świątek on four occasions (three in 2023 and once in 2024) and has now defeated Sabalenka twice (once in 2023 and once in 2024). The other players to achieve this rare feat include tennis legends Tracy Austin (1979-1980), Venus Williams (1999-2000), and Lindsay Davenport (2000-2001).
### **Making History as the First Asian Player to Defeat a No. 1 at the WTA Finals**
In addition to joining an exclusive list of players, Rybakina also made history by becoming the first player representing an Asian nation to defeat a world No. 1 at the WTA Finals since the inception of the rankings. Although Rybakina was born in Moscow, she has represented Kazakhstan on the international tennis stage since 2018. This achievement further cements her status as one of the leading players in women’s tennis, particularly in an era dominated by fierce competition at the top.
### **What’s Next for Rybakina?**
While Rybakina’s victory in Riyadh came too late to secure her a spot in the semi-finals of the 2024 WTA Finals, it certainly sets a positive tone for the upcoming offseason and the 2025 season. The 25-year-old has shown that she has the ability to compete with the very best, and with her aggressive game and steady improvements in key areas, Rybakina will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with in the new year.
Looking back at 2024, it has been a year of highs and lows for Rybakina. Despite the occasional setbacks, such as some early-round exits in major tournaments, her consistency in big matches and her ability to beat top-ranked players have reaffirmed her place among the elite in women’s tennis. As she heads into the offseason, there is much anticipation about how Rybakina will build upon her progress in 2025, with many believing that her time at the very top of the sport could be just around the corner.
For now, though, Rybakina can take solace in a well-deserved victory over the world No. 1, proving that she has what it takes to end the year on a high and reminding everyone of her immense potential moving forward.