Rybakina seals a group sweep at the WTA Finals
Elena Rybakina added another chapter to her standout week at the WTA Finals, completing a flawless group-stage run with a straight-sets victory over Ekaterina Alexandrova. The sixth seed, who already secured her semi-final spot on Monday, shrugged off a late call-up to deliver a convincing performance and finish the round-robin phase with a clean slate.
Rybakina approached the match with the confidence of a player who had found rhythm across her group matches. She controlled much of the tempo, using her serve and returning strength to pressure Alexandrova from the baseline. The first set unfolded at a brisk pace, with Rybakina breaking early and holding firm to close it 6-4. The second set followed a similar pattern, as the Kazakh standout maintained the initiative and navigated the demands of a late substitute opponent who was eager to prove her place among the contenders.
Momentum carried into the semi-finals
With the group stage complete, Rybakina will head into the semi-finals riding momentum from an unblemished record in the round-robin portion of the event. Her consistency throughout the group phase has been a key feature of her campaign, reflecting her ability to adapt to different court conditions and opponent styles. Victory over Alexandrova ensured there were no surprises left on the day and underscored her status as a dangerous opponent in the knockout rounds.
What this means for the tournament dynamics
The recurring theme of the WTA Finals this year has been depth at the top of the draw, and Rybakina’s group sweep adds another layer to the narrative: as the field narrows, every win carries extra significance, and momentum can be a deciding factor in the late stages of the season. For Alexandrova, the match offered a chance to test her own form against one of the tour’s most in-form players, while the result kept the balance of the group intact and set up intriguing semi-final pairings.
Looking ahead
As the semi-finals approach, Rybakina will look to translate her round-robin success into a deep run in the tournament. Her all-court game, marked by powerful serves and aggressive groundstrokes, makes her a constant threat on any surface. Opponents will have to contend with not just her talent but the confidence that comes from a clean sweep in the group stage.
Fans can expect more high-quality tennis as the competition enters its knockout phase, with Rybakina aiming to continue her excellent form and push toward the title on the WTA calendar’s biggest stage.
