WTA Finals - Rybakina earns prestigious victory over Sabalenka!

In the final match of the purple group, Elena Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka in three sets (6-4, 3-6, 6-1).

It was a low-stakes encounter for both players. Rybakina, who was making her return to competition at this Masters, had nothing left to play for as she had already been eliminated. For Aryna Sabalenka, who yesterday confirmed her place as world No.1, it was a practice match before her semi-final.

The Belarussian clearly had no intention of leaving much energy on court today, accumulating unforced errors (30 in all) and proving febrile on her serve (five breaks conceded).

She showed her fighting spirit to win the second set, but the final set was dispatched by the Kazakh in 24 minutes.

With this result, Elena Rybakina recorded the sixth victory of her career against a world No.1 and will leave Riyadh with the handsome sum of $685,000.