Aryna Sabalenka defeated Elena Rybakina 6-2 3-6 6-3 on Friday to advance to the WTA Finals semifinals. The match had been postponed on Thursday due to bad weather in Cancun.
Sabalenka expressed her thoughts after the win and said: “I didn’t really think a lot about this match. I was just like, whatever. I’m going to go out there and do everything I can and if I win, I win and if I lose, I go home on vacation. I was just trying to play as good as I can.”
In the event between the top eight players in the world, American Jessica Pegula and Belarusian Sabalenka will face off in the semi-finals.
Speaking to the crowd after defeating Rybakina to advance to the semifinals of the WTA Finals, Sabalenka said: “Guys, oh my god, you’re the best. I wish the conditions were better, but I wish I could bring all of you with me to each tournament I’m playing. I really needed this support at the US Open. If you were there I definitely would win that Slam.”
Aryna Sabalenka to the crowd after beating Elena Rybakina to reach WTA Finals semifinals:
“Guys, oh my god.. you’re the best. I wish the conditions were better, but I wish I could bring all of you with me to each tournament I’m playing. I really needed this support at US Open.… pic.twitter.com/qhbFDOYMF1
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 3, 2023
Aryna Sabalenka d. Elena Rybakina 6-2 3-6 6-3
5 rain delays.
27 mph winds.
2 days.
That’s what it took to get this match completed.
✅2nd consecutive WTA Finals semifinals.
Rain & wind can’t keep Aryna away. 🐅 pic.twitter.com/IywsnVaA5J
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 3, 2023
Aryna Sabalenka in 2023
Ranked world no.1, the Belarussian played her last match on the 3rd of November when she beat world no.4 Elena Rybakina 6-2 3-6 6-3 in the round robin in Cancun (draw).
At the moment, during this season Aryna has a 55-13 win-loss record. The Belarussian conquered 3 titles in 2023 in Adelaide, Australian Open and Madrid. Sabalenka got to the final in Indian Wells, Stuttgart and U.S. Open.
Elena Rybakina in 2023
Currently the world no.4, Rybakina played her last match on the 3rd of November when she capitulated to world no.1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-2 3-6 6-3 in the round robin in Cancun (draw).
This year Elena has achieved a compiled 47-15 match record. The Kazakhstani has won 2 titles in 2023 in Indian Wells and Rome. Rybakina reached the final at the Australian Open and Miami.
Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina clashed against each other 7 times. Their record is 5-2 for Sabalenka. The last time they fought against each other, Aryna Sabalenka won 6-2 3-6 6-3 in the round robin in Cancun (WTA Finals) on the 3rd of November 2023.
Here are the highlights.
