The race for the last two spots in the PIF WTA Finals continues to heat up as the regular season nears its close. Three players are prominently positioned: Mirra Andreeva, Jasmine Paolini, and Elena Rybakina, who are closely competing, with only 407 points separating them in the WTA Race standings. As the nail-biting competition unfolds, only two of them will secure a direct entry into the Finals in Riyadh, while the remaining player will be named the first alternate.
Current Standing of Contenders
All three competitors will participate in the AUX Ningbo Open in China, which starts on Monday. This tournament is crucial as it awards 500 points to the champion. Following this, Paolini and Rybakina are set to compete in the Toray Pan Pacific Open next week in Tokyo, Japan, marking the final 500-point tournament of the season.
Confirmed Qualification
Jessica Pegula has already secured her place at the year-end championships after her quarterfinal victory over Katerina Siniakova in Wuhan. This marks her fourth consecutive appearance in the WTA Finals. Before her qualification, players like Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova, and Madison Keys had already earned their spots.
The Battle for Riyadh: Key Players
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1. Mirra Andreeva
Current Race Points: 4,320
2025 Record: 40 Wins, 15 Losses, 2 Titles (Dubai, Indian Wells)Andreeva has had a strong season, but her recent form has raised concerns. She has gone 4-4 since Wimbledon, with a 2-2 record in China. As the top seed in Ningbo, she could face tough matches early on, including a potential encounter with Emma Raducanu. Winning this tournament would guarantee her spot in Riyadh.
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2. Jasmine Paolini
Current Race Points: 4,131
2025 Record: 35 Wins, 11 Losses, 1 Title (Rome)Paolini has been closing the gap after a semifinal finish in Wuhan. As the No. 2 seed in Ningbo, her path includes potential early matches against Veronika Kudermetova or Zhang Shuai. A semifinal finish is likely necessary for her to qualify.
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3. Elena Rybakina
Current Race Points: 3,913
2025 Record: 47 Wins, 19 Losses, 1 Title (Strasbourg)Rybakina’s recent losses have put her qualification in jeopardy. She must make it at least to the semifinals in Ningbo to gain more points. Her opening match will be against the winner of Victoria Mboko and Dayana Yastremska.
Alternates and Other Competitors
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Ekaterina Alexandrova
Current Race Points: 3,158
2025 Record: 43 Wins, 22 Losses, 1 Title (Linz)Alexandrova is positioned well as she competes in both Ningbo and Tokyo, aiming for the second alternate spot.
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Clara Tauson
Current Race Points: 2,770
2025 Record: 36 Wins, 21 Losses, 1 Title (Auckland)Tauson starts her campaign in Ningbo against qualifier Ajla Tomljanovic.
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Belinda Bencic
Current Race Points: 2,469
2025 Record: 32 Wins, 16 Losses, 1 Title (Abu Dhabi)Bencic is next in line for an alternate spot and aims for strong performances in the final weeks.
The competition among these players for the final spots in the WTA Finals is expected to culminate in an exciting finale, particularly as Andreeva, Paolini, and Rybakina fight for their chance in Riyadh.
