Key events
*Sabalenka 3-6, 6-5 Rybakina (* denotes server): Sabalenka has turned the volume up in the last few minutes: she races through a hold, for the first time in an age.
Sabalenka 3-6, 5-5 Rybakina* (* denotes server): Rybakina’s radar goes a touch wonky: double fault. At 15-30, Sabalenka sees some light. And then a forehand goes wide! Sabalenka, out of nowhere, has two set points. Rybakina benefits from a clip off the net cord … before Sabalenka nets a backhand return! Oh my word: Sabalenka has bags of time and space to smash a forehand winner, but she nets and Rybakina completes a nervy hold.
*Sabalenka 3-6, 5-4 Rybakina (* denotes server): Rybakina shows off a delightful backhand drop before Sabalenka goes long … it’s 0-30 and this is the opening the former has been patiently waiting for. Sabalenka drags a backhand a touch wide: two break points. Sabalenka saves both, thundering a serve down the middle for the second! Rybakina has dominated this set; she also’s going to serve to stay in it.
Sabalenka 3-6, 4-4 Rybakina* (* denotes server): A double fault! But that rare mistake by Rybakina is followed up by an ace down the middle. A stonking backhand winner follows. She holds to 15: Rybakina has lost just two points on her serve in this set. Astonishing stuff.
*Sabalenka 3-6, 4-3 Rybakina (* denotes server): Rybakina’s poker face drops for the first time when she overdoes a forehand. A powerful return sets her up for a forehand winner, taking us to deuce. But Sabalenka continues to resist and, for all her dominance on serve, Rybakina is still waiting for that break.
Sabalenka 3-6, 3-3 Rybakina* (* denotes server): A forehand by Sabalenka is narrowly wide but she eventually has her first point this set on Rybakina’s serve. Then comes yet another ace by Rybakina; she refuses to give anything to her opponent. A stonking forehand winner completes another brilliant hold.
*Sabalenka 3-6, 3-2 Rybakina (* denotes server): Rybakina gets up to the net for a couple of points but Sabalenka still has a few monster serves in the locker, holding to 30.
Sabalenka 3-6, 2-2 Rybakina* (* denotes server): Rybakina seems to have all the time in the world as she whips another forehand winner. “Wowzer,” says Laura Robson on comms after another cracking forehand. It’s another love hold; Sabalenka is struggling to launch any sort of reply.
*Sabalenka 3-6, 2-1 Rybakina (* denotes server): Sabalenka sends a forehand down the line … but is left frustrated with the next point, netting after getting stuck on the baseline. The world No 1 goes long: two break points. Sabalenka saves the first before Rybakina nets a return, her first real misstep in some time. Sabalenka holds but still appears disgruntled. She’s kept herself in this match.
Sabalenka 3-6, 1-1 Rybakina* (* denotes server): Rybakina pings an unplayable serve down the middle … and then another out wide. Another ace completes an authoritative hold. Sabalenka is in serious trouble here.
*Sabalenka 3-6, 1-0 Rybakina (* denotes server): Sabalenka’s serve out wide works nicely, taking her to 40-15, and it sets her up for a forehand to hold.
The stats pop up on the telly: Rybakina has 16 winners to Sabalenka’s five, five aces to Sabalenka’s one.
Rybakina wins the first set 6-3
A big serve is followed by a decisive Rybakina forehand … before Sabalenka is victorious in a lengthy rally, releasing that mighty roar. But the quiet Rybakina claims the first set after Sabalenka nets a backhand return.
*Sabalenka 3-5 Rybakina (* denotes server): A backhand winner by Rybakina leaves the crowd in awe and Sabalenka stationary. And then comes a jaw-dropping backhand return! Sabalenka summons all her strength for two overpowering serves down the middle – another huge serve makes it 40-30 but Rybakina’s perfectly placed forehand takes us to deuce. Rybakina is playing some showreel tennis here, the backhand winners in full flow but Sabalenka holds to keep herself alive in this opening set.
Sabalenka 2-5 Rybakina* (* denotes server): Both players are up to the net but it’s Sabalenka’s backhand that wins out. Here we go: Sabalenka with two break points. A backhand close to the line by Rybakina makes it 30-40 … and a forehand winner that is also perilously close takes us to deuce. Rybakina completes the recovery and she’s a game away from winning the first set. This is a thrill.
*Sabalenka 2-4 Rybakina (* denotes server): A deep backhand by Rybakina sets her up for a forehand winner … and Sabalenka goes long to make it 0-30. An awry forehand later, it’s 0-40 … and Rybakina converts immediately after some brilliant scrambling! Sabalenka nets the overhead shot and Rybakina has the first break of the match.
Sabalenka 2-3 Rybakina* (* denotes server): At 15-30, Sabalenka has an opening. Rybakina advances to the net and is so very nearly beaten by a backhand pass … but she gets the ball to drop and level up at 30-all. A whippy forehand moves Sabalenka to break point. She can’t convert before Rybakina delivers a second-serve ace, surprising her opponent with the wide hit. Then comes another delicious serve.
*Sabalenka 2-2 Rybakina (* denotes server): Rybakina’s forehand return goes wild as Sabalenka holds to love.
Sabalenka 1-2 Rybakina* (* denotes server): At 30-all, Rybakina unleashes an ace down the T, then one out wide. Dominant work.
*Sabalenka 1-1 Rybakina (* denotes server): Rybakina pings a vicious, flat forehand return but Sabalenka has the power to reclaim control and win the point. Rybakina’s down-the-line forehand is in good order, though, and it takes her to deuce before Sabalenka, trapped on the baseline, finds the net. Break point. Sabalenka is forced to fight hard in a lengthy rally, and unleashes a roar after a backhand winner. She holds, just.
Sabalenka 0-1 Rybakina* (* denotes server): Here we go. It’s Rybakina to unleash her monster serve … it’s a thumping backhand that gives her the first point. A forehand down the line takes her to 40-15 but she then goes long twice to keep Sabalenka in the hunt. At deuce comes a terrific serve out wide and Rybakina ensures there’s no early slip-up.
Laura Robson is backing Rybakina; Tim Henman says it’s Sabalenka’s. The world No 1 has never won this comp, finishing as runner-up in 2022 to Caroline Garcia.
The players walk on to the techno club floor/tennis court. We’ll get going very shortly.
Sabalenka leads the head-to-head with Rybakina 8-5; the former triumphed in straight sets when they met at Wuhan last month.
The ATP show kicks off tomorrow.
Preamble
It’s a fitting climax. The two players have come through the tournament unbeaten, battling through three sets in the semis. For Aryna Sabalenka this could be a wonderful way to wrap up a blistering year: one of three grand slam finals, another US Open title and her place secure as the world No 1.
Elena Rybakina, however, has found some serious form. Her title in Ningbo last month has been backed up by wins against Iga Swiatek and Amanda Anisimova in Riyadh. This is her chance to get back at the player who denied her an Australian Open triumph in 2023. We’ll get going at 4pm GMT.
