In a thrilling showdown at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, Elena Rybakina secured her most significant victory since her 2022 Wimbledon triumph by defeating world number one Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 7-6 (7/0) on Saturday. The Kazakh star delivered a masterclass in serving and returning, becoming the first player from Kazakhstan and Asia to claim the prestigious WTA Finals singles title. Rybakina’s flawless performance earned her a record-breaking $5.235 million prize, propelling her to a year-end world ranking of fifth. Despite battling a shoulder injury throughout the tournament, Rybakina expressed her astonishment at her success, stating, ‘It’s been an incredible week, I honestly didn’t expect any result, and to go so far, it’s just incredible.’ Rybakina’s victory was marked by her dominance on serve, firing 13 aces against Sabalenka and totaling 48 for the week. Her journey to the finals was paved with a 500-level title in Ningbo and a semi-final appearance in Tokyo, culminating in an 11-match winning streak. The match also highlighted the intense rivalry between Rybakina and Sabalenka, who have faced off 14 times since 2019. Sabalenka, despite her loss, set a new WTA Tour record for the most prize money earned in a single season, surpassing Serena Williams’ 2013 earnings. During the trophy ceremony, Sabalenka graciously acknowledged Rybakina’s superior performance, saying, ‘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.’ The Belarusian, visibly emotional, reflected on her team’s efforts, emphasizing the pride in their achievements despite the outcome.