-title: Rybakina Claims “WTA Finals” Title, Defeats Sabalenka

Rybakina Crowned WTA Finals Champion in Riyadh

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Elena Rybakina of kazakhstan has won the 2023‌ WTA Finals, defeating⁣ Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 7-6 (7-0) in the championship match. The victory marks Rybakina’s biggest‍ achievement since claiming the 2022 Wimbledon title.

The win in Riyadh secures Rybakina 1,500 world ranking points adn solidifies her position among the elite in ‍women’s tennis. Sabalenka had previously‌ reached the WTA Finals final once before, in five tournament appearances.

Rybakina navigated a challenging tournament bracket, overcoming American Jessica Pegula (WTA 5th) in the‌ semifinals ⁤with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory. Sabalenka advanced⁣ to the final after defeating Amanda Anisimova (WTA 4th) 6-3, 3-6, ⁤6-3 in her semifinal match.

The tournament’s group ​stage saw ⁢Sabalenka dominate Group Steffi Graf ⁢with a 3-0 record,followed by Pegula (2-1),Coco Gauff (1-2),and Jasmine paolini (0-3).⁢ In Group Serena Williams, Rybakina⁤ also went undefeated (3-0), with Anisimova ⁤(2-1), Iga Świątek (1-2), and Ekaterina Alexandrova (replacing Madison Keys, 1-1) completing the standings.

Last year’s WTA ⁤Finals​ champion, Coco Gauff, had defeated china’s Zheng qinwen in three sets to claim the title.