Elena Rybakina clinched her biggest title since Wimbledon in 2022 by defeating world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 7-6(7/0) at the WTA Finals in Riyadh on Saturday.
The world No 6 put on yet another serving masterclass and was at her returning best as she became the first Kazakh and the first player representing an Asian country to lift the WTA Finals singles trophy.
ELEVEN in a row 😮
— wta (@WTA) November 8, 2025
A run that ends in a WTA Finals title for Elena Rybakina 🏆👏#WTAFinalsRiyadh pic.twitter.com/AW1Ymx1KB7
Having gone 3-0 in round-robin play, Rybakina earned a record $5.235 million and will finish the year ranked No 5 in the world.
"It's been an incredible week, I honestly didn't expect any result, and to go so far, it's just incredible," said Rybakina, who battled a shoulder injury all week.
What a match from Elena Rybakina 👏
— wta (@WTA) November 8, 2025
She comes through an epic encounter to take the title 🏆#WTAFinalsRiyadh pic.twitter.com/OdVBLVD8Q6
"I want to congratulate Aryna also for being No 1 for the second year in a row, it's an amazing achievement. Today was such a tough battle, some moments I got lucky, but this is tennis. I hope we're going to play many more finals together."
The ace leader on tour with 516 struck this season, Rybakina fired 13 against Sabalenka on Saturday, and finished the week with a total of 48 in Riyadh.
Rybakina was the last of the eight players in the singles field to qualify for the WTA Finals in Riyadh, and she did it by winning the 500-level title in Ningbo and reaching the semifinals in Tokyo before withdrawing from the tournament.
CHAMPION in Riyadh! 🏆
— wta (@WTA) November 8, 2025
Elena Rybakina captures the WTA Finals title, defeating Sabalenka 6-3, 7-6(0) 🙌#WTAFinalsRiyadh pic.twitter.com/jYP48SWTBh
Her winning streak now stands at 11 matches and she improved her head-to-head record against Sabalenka to 6-8.
Squaring off for the 14th time, Sabalenka and Rybakina form one of the most gripping rivalries of the WTA, dating back to 2019.
Rybakina entered the final carrying a 10-match winning streak. The last player to beat her was Sabalenka, who knocked out the Kazakh in the Wuhan quarterfinals four weeks ago.
HARD-HITTING DUEL
Both players brought their A-game from the start, showcasing their signature brand of boom-boom tennis to stay neck and neck through the first five games.
It was Rybakina's defence though that paid off in game six, her desperate lob drawing the error from Sabalenka, who netted the overhead to get broken.
That one break was all Rybakina needed to secure the opening set in 44 minutes.
Rybakina was untouchable on serve in the second set, dropping just two points on serve through four service games.
Elena Rybakina strikes first 💪
— wta (@WTA) November 8, 2025
She comes out on top 6-3 in a thrilling first set against Sabalenka.#WTAFinalsRiyadh pic.twitter.com/fH47r2Y7R4
Sabalenka was more vulnerable in that department, feeling the pressure on her own serve but still finding ways to save four break points, including two crucial ones at 4-4.
Against the momentum, Sabalenka suddenly got her hands on two set points on Rybakina's serve in game 10 but the Kazakh stood her ground to level for 5-5.
The set fittingly went to a tiebreak, and despite her remarkable 22-2 tiebreak record for the season, Sabalenka couldn't halt Rybakina, who sealed the deal after one hour and 47 minutes of play.
Rybakina finished the match with 36 winners against just 22 unforced errors.
Despite the loss, Sabalenka set a new WTA Tour record for most prize money earned in a single season, her $15 008 519 surpassing the $12 385 572 Serena Williams made in 2013.
"Not the best performance from me but Elena, you were definitely a better player today. You literally smashed me out of the court. Very well done. I'm happy to see you back playing your best tennis," Sabalenka said during the trophy ceremony.
Fighting tears, the Belarusian addressed her team, saying: "Maybe not the result we all wanted today, but so many things we... I guess I'm getting old, I'm getting really sensitive. So many things to be proud of. Thanks guys."