© Getty Images Sport – Mark Kolbe
Elena Rybakina has acknowledged that she expects “a tough match” and “a fight” when she meets Aryna Sabalenka at the WTA Finals. After beating Maria Sakkari on Tuesday, Rybakina improved to 1-1 in her group in Cancun. While Rybakina had a winning day at the office, Sabalenka didn’t as the world No 1 was beaten by Jessica Pegula.
Both Rybakina and Sabalenka own a 1-1 record and the winner of their match will make the semifinal in Cancun. When Rybakina and Sabalenka meet in Cancun, it will be their sixth meeting. Going into the match, Sabalenka owns a 4-2 head-to-head against Rybakina.
“I’m sure it’s gonna be a tough match. We always have tough battles against each other. The conditions aren’t perfect and it’s a pity we can’t show our best and good quality matches. That’s what I feel and I see.
I think we’re both gonna fight. We’ll see how it’s gonna go,” Rybakina said of facing Sabalenka.
Rybakina and Sabalenka set for another big meeting
Rybakina and Sabalenka are set to meet for the fourth time this year and they are again set to clash on the big stage.
At the start of the 2023 season, Rybakina and Sabalenka clashed in the Australian Open final – in which the Belarusian recovered from a set down to beat the Kazakh. In March, Rybakina clinched her first win over Sabalenka, when she beat the Belarusian in the Indian Wells final for her first WTA 1000 title.
In early October, Rybakina and Sabalenka met again as the Kazakh beat the Belarusian in Beijing. Now, they are set for their fourth and final meeting of the year at the WTA Finals. Considering the fact that the loser of the match will be going home, there is definitely a lot at stake.
It remains to be seen if Rybakina can earn her third consecutive win over Sabalenka and reach the semifinal at the WTA Finals.
