Paolini defeats Rivakina 7-6, 6-4 Debut in Riyadh WTA finals
The beginning of the end began in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as the world’s top eight gathered for the season-ending championship. Ten months ago, Elena Rybakina was firing on all cylinders with wins in Brisbane (d. Sabalenka) and Abu Dhabi (d. Kasatkina). WTA 1000 In Dubai, she lost to eventual champion Jasmine Paolini of Italy via walkover.
The 25-year-old has reached two further finals. 1000 After winning the levels (Doha and Miami), she won the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, where she beat Paolini in the third quarter en route to the final. But the Italian got revenge on the Grand Slam stage at Roland Garros with a three-set win in the quarters.
Paolini, three years older, started the year ranked in the top 30 and is currently ranked fourth, a career high. An outstanding season saw her win her first championship. WTA 1000 She won the title in Dubai and reached two consecutive Grand Slam finals at the French Open (l. Swiatek) and Wimbledon (l. Krejcikova).
Paolini may have run out of fuel after the summer, but Rybakina pulled the plug after the grass-court season due to injuries and illness. She is competing without a coach for the first time since New York.
Agenzia Photogramma / Ipa
yesterday 2022 The Wimbledon champion announced that he had hired her. 2001 Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic. Worldwide #2 Coach Novak Djokovic is not in Riyadh but the partnership is scheduled to begin next month.
Current World #5 I’m competing with her 2nd WTA Final, Paolini is first. Paolini led the head-to-head match. 3-2 Two of three were secured through walkovers and mid-game ejections.
Italians and #4 Sid won the toss and elected to serve. she made 4/6 Serve first and stay 30 Rybakina recorded her third straight win, including two aces.
Led by Paolini 40-15 Followed a brilliant backhand down the line but faced a deuce before holding while Rybakina made it. 3/4 Serve for the first time and fall in love 2-2. Paolini had an ace and a double fault in the first and held on despite three deuces and a break point.
Rybakina ruined her breaking ability, double faulted her first and dumped her serve. I miss Paolini 3/6 After the first serve, he returned the break with an incorrect backhand. Rybakina, serving with a new ball, consolidated her break by recording two consecutive wins, including an ace. 4-4.
Paolini faced another break point and deuce, but held first serve for three straight. Serving to stay in the set, Rybakina put an ace on the tee and another ace to level at five. Paolini had another double fault and faced three deuces and a break point, but displayed outstanding defense and offense.
Rybakina once again did her part to stay in the set and force a blocker. Although she missed me 5/6 On her first serve, she scored two stunning wins and went on to win. 30 for 6-6.
Paolini 6-2 Although she was leading following numerous mistakes from her opponent, Rybakina extracted two of her own and attacked again. 5-6. The Italian converted the remaining set point when Rybakina mishit another forehand.
Rybakina topped the second and faced a double break point and two deuces, but came away with four spectacular wins, including a sixth ace. Paolini faced a break point and deuce in her opening service game, but stayed after an errant backhand from Rybakina.
that 5The third seed opened the match with his seventh ace and was easily able to catch it. 15 With a clean backhand volley. Paolini misses his serve with the new ball. 5/6 The first serve has not yet been held. 30 for 2-2. Rybakina ripped off two forehand winners – down the line and inside-in to take the lead. 3-2 Paolini loved levels.
I miss Rivakina 3/5 On her first serve, she faced a triple break point and dumped her serve with a slice backhand. Paolini had two winners, including his second ace at game point, to force a powerful consolidation. 5-3.
Rybakina, who remained in the game, missed. 3/5 The first serve has not yet been held. 15 A stunning forehand pass down the line. Paolini reached double match point with a fantastic crosscourt forehand and converted when Rybakina swung in another backhand.
Rybakina was rusty and hard, but respectable. she hit 8 ace and 1 Won by double mistake 69first and 57% of second serve points. she saved 3/5 Breakpoint during conversion 1/5. She was powerful and victorious when she returned. 30first and 44% of points returned on second serve. While she landed more than twice as many hits as Paolini’s winner (27/12) She gifted 34 more unforced errors (56/22).
Paolini’s event debut was thoughtful and composed. she won 70first and 56% of second serve points and saved 4/5 Breakpoint during conversion 2/5. Although she lacks the height and raw strength of her opponents, she is mentally resilient and athletic.
Given Rybakina’s tremendous serve, the Italian did well to secure the win. 31first and 43% of points returned on second serve. Along with her compatriot Sara Errani, she also participates in doubles.
In the round robin competition, she 2024 Australian Open finalist and Olympic gold medalist Qinwen Zheng, Rybakina is ranked world number one.1Arina Sabalenka.
