In a thrilling Friday showdown at the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, Elena Rybakina solidified her place as the final qualifier for the prestigious WTA Finals in Riyadh, triumphing over the promising 19-year-old Victoria Mboko with a scoreline of 6-3, 7-6(4). This victory not only advanced Rybakina to the semi-finals but also marked a significant milestone in her career as she cemented her position among the elite players of the WTA.
Rybakina, who spoke about the intensity of the match, acknowledged the challenges presented by Mboko. “It was a very difficult match against Victoria. The last time, it was the same battle. I’m very happy that I managed to win in two sets this time,” she expressed post-match. The Kazakh star’s resilience shone through, especially in the tiebreak of the second set, where she demonstrated her ability to perform under pressure.
Joining Rybakina in the elite lineup heading to Riyadh are other top players like Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova, Madison Keys, Jessica Pegula, and Jasmine Paolini. By reaching the semi-finals in Tokyo, Rybakina surpassed 18-year-old Mirra Andreeva in the final standings, leaving Andreeva as the first alternate and Ekaterina Alexandrova as the second alternate.
WTA Finals Tournament Director Garbiñe Muguruza expressed her excitement for the season’s culminating event, highlighting the exceptional depth of talent showcased in the tournament. “The world-class singles field for the WTA Finals is now set, and I can’t wait to welcome this inspiring group of athletes to Riyadh,” she said, setting the stage for the competition that begins on November 1st.
This season marks Rybakina’s third consecutive appearance at the WTA Finals, a testament to her growth as a player since becoming the first singles qualifier from Kazakhstan in 2023. The tournament format includes a round-robin phase, with singles competitors vying for the Billie Jean King Trophy, while elbowing for its doubles counterpart, the Martina Navratilova Trophy.
In her bid for a second consecutive WTA 500 final appearance, Rybakina will face No. 6 seed Linda Noskova in the semi-finals. Noskova advanced after Anna Kalinskaya retired due to a lower back injury, leaving Noskova ahead 6-0, 1-0 at the time of the retirement.
The competition on Friday didn’t just showcase Rybakina’s prowess. Sofia Kenin, the 2024 Tokyo runner-up, delivered a stunning performance against third-seeded Ekaterina Alexandrova, overcoming a 2-5 deficit in the final set and saving four match points to clinch the match 6-0, 2-6, 7-6(3). In another gripping encounter, fifth seed Belinda Bencic battled through a three-hour contest with Karolina Muchova, saving a match point to advance 3-6, 7-5, 7-5.
Bencic’s victory was particularly hard-fought, as she faced moments where it seemed the match might slip away. Despite Muchova serving for the match twice in the decider, Bencic’s tenacity paid off as she converted her second match point to emerge victorious. Their match was emblematic of the endurance and fierce determination prevalent throughout this season.
As the tournament nears its climax, the semi-finals promise to deliver more exhilarating tennis, with storied athletes looking to further enhance their legacies and stake their claims for prestigious titles. The stage is set for an electrifying finale in Tokyo as the countdown to the WTA Finals gathers momentum.
