Elena Rybakina Shocks Iga Swiatek; Amanda Anisimova Ousts Madison Keys at WTA Finals
In a stunning turn of events at the WTA Finals, Elena Rybakina delivered a remarkable performance against Iga Swiatek. Rybakina secured her spot at the year-end championships only two weeks prior to this match.
Match Overview
Swiatek initially took control, breaking Rybakina’s serve early in the first set. However, the tides quickly changed. Rybakina, known for her powerful serve, regained her composure and showcased her skills on the court.
Key Stats
- Aces (2025): Rybakina leads the tour with 480 total aces.
- First Set Points Won: Swiatek won 90% of her first serve points in the first set, dropping to 53% in the second set.
- Unforced Errors: Swiatek recorded 42 unforced errors, 36 of which occurred in the second and third sets.
- Winners: Swiatek managed just 12 winners throughout the match.
Rybakina’s strategy forced Swiatek deeper behind the baseline, a tactic that ultimately paid off. After a double break of serve, Rybakina evened the match, showing no signs of letting up.
Decisive Moments
Rybakina broke Swiatek early in the final set, overcoming a 40-15 deficit. This was a turning point that demonstrated her dominance in the match. The conclusion was swift; Rybakina achieved a 6-0 third set, a rare outcome for Swiatek in her recent matches.
Doubles Competition Highlights
In the doubles category, Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei and Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko advanced to the knockout stage. They defeated Italian top seeds Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini with a score of 6-3, 6-4. Meanwhile, Elise Mertens and Veronika Kudermetova also progressed by besting Asia Muhammad and Demi Schuurs, winning 6-4, 6-7 (6-8), 10-6.
With Rybakina’s victory, she extends her winning streak to eight matches. Her last match against Swiatek marked a significant comeback, as it was her first win over the Polish star in 19 months. This championship continues to unfold exciting narratives as players strive for the title at the WTA Finals.
