Paolini Defeats Rybakina On Debut A The WTA Finals

Paolini defeats Rybakina 7-6, 6-4 on debut in Riyadh at the WTA Finals

The beginning of the end commenced in Riyadh, Saudia Arabia as the world’s elite eight gathered for the season-ending championships. Ten months ago, Elena Rybakina was firing on all cylinders, winning in Brisbane (d. Sabalenka) and Abu Dhabi (d. Kasatkina) and at the WTA 1000 in Dubai, lost via walkover to eventual champion, Jasmine Paolini from Italy.

The twenty-five-year-old reached two additional finals both at the 1000 level (Doha and Miami) before triumphing on the dirt at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart where en route to the final, she conquered Paolini in the quarters in three. The Italian would exact revenge, however, on the grand slam stage at Roland Garros with a three-set victory in the quarters.

Paolini, three years older, began the year just inside the top thirty and now is at a career-high rank of four. In a stellar season, she won her first WTA 1000 title in Dubai and reached two consecutive grand slam finals at the French Open (l. Swiatek) and Wimbledon (l. Krejcikova).

While Paolini may have run out of gas since the end of summer, Rybakina pulled the plug following the grass court season due to a litany of injuries and illnesses. She is competing for the first time since New York and, without a coach.

Agenzia Fotogramma / Ipa

Yesterday, the 2022 Wimbledon champion announced she had hired the 2001 Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic. The former world #2 and coach of Novak Djokovic is not in Riyadh but will commence the partnership next month.

The current world #5 is competing in her 2nd WTA Finals, Paolini her first. Paolini led the head-to-head 3-2 securing two of the three via walkover and mid-match retirement.

The Italian and #4 seed won the toss and elected to serve. She made 4/6 first serves and held to 30 while Rybakina hit three consecutive winners including two aces to level.

Paolini led 40-15 following a brilliant backhand down the line but faced deuce before holding while Rybakina made 3/4 first serves and held at love for 2-2. Paolini struck her first ace and double fault and held despite facing three deuces and break point.

Rybakina ruing her inability to break, gifted her first double fault and dumped serve. Paolini missed 3/6 first serves and with a mishit backhand, gave back the break. Rybakina serving with new balls hit two consecutive winners including another ace and consolidated the break for 4-4.

Paolini faced another break…