Elena Rybakina made headlines by upsetting Iga Swiatek in their recent match at the WTA Finals. This victory marks a significant turnaround for Rybakina, who only qualified for the year-end championships two weeks prior to the match.
Match Highlights: Rybakina vs. Swiatek
Rybakina faced a challenging start as Swiatek secured an early lead, winning the first set. However, Rybakina quickly found her rhythm, responding effectively to Swiatek’s serve. She adjusted her strategy, forcing Swiatek to play deeper behind the baseline.
Key Stats
- Rybakina led the tour with 480 aces in 2025.
- Swiatek’s first serve winning percentage dropped from 90% in the first set to 53% in the second.
- Rybakina won the match with a significant second-set performance, breaking Swiatek early in the final set.
- Swiatek accumulated 42 unforced errors during the match, notably 36 in the last two sets.
- Rybakina’s victory included a final ace, marking her first win over Swiatek in 19 months and extending her winning streak to eight matches.
- Swiatek’s loss was highlighted by being the first player to experience a 6-0 scoreline in a third set three times in a season since 2013.
Doubles Competition Update
In other matches, the doubles team of Hsieh Su-wei from Taiwan and Jelena Ostapenko from Latvia secured a spot in the knockout stage. They defeated the Italian duo of Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini with a score of 6-3, 6-4.
Additionally, Elise Mertens and Veronika Kudermetova triumphed over Asia Muhammad and Demi Schuurs with a scoreline of 6-4, 6-7 (6-8), 10-6, eliminating the latter from the competition.
As the WTA Finals progress, the matches continue to showcase remarkable talents and unexpected outcomes.
