Aryna Sabalenka has began with double victory to start the 2024 World Tennis League in the United Arab Emirates with a topsy turvy win over Elena Rybakina in singles.
Sabalenka defeated her rival 7-6(3) in the second match of the tournament after also featuring in the first. It was a rollercoaster first tie as the former won the first five games. Rybakina then won the next five. Sabalenka closed it out to take the Hawks to a two sets lead over the Falcons with two matches left today.
“I was just telling myself you can’t be that tough on Elena. She’s such a nice person. You cannot do that to her. Let’s be friendly," she joked in a hilarious post match interview after dropping a 5-0 lead.
She also hilariously blamed her team captain for the dropping of the lead. “It’s totally his fault. When I was there at 5-2 he could’ve cheered me up a bit more and he didn’t.”
Focus will now shift onto the men's side with a singles and doubles. Andrey Rublev is currently facing Jordan Thompson, while a men's doubles rubber is also upon us in the final match.
Sabalenka though led from the front in both of the opening ties. She teamed with Mirra Andreeva to defeat Elena Rybakina again also as well as Caroline Garcia.
A superb fun tie to open up the contest as the Hawks led in what is a typical practice exhibition to open the 2025 season. Albeit one that has been ultra competitive in the past and sees players also mic'd up so you can hear their reactions. With a player like Sabalenka who is known for her hilarity in interviews, it produces some gold and is a good test for players.
Played over one set it is good for short sharp matchplay and completes ties quickly adding to an overall tally which completes the match.
Aryna Sabalenka to the Hawks Team Captain after beating Elena Rybakina at World Tennis League
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) December 19, 2024
“It’s totally his fault. When I was there at 5-2 he could’ve cheered me up a bit more and he didn’t.” 😂
pic.twitter.com/xgibWTM4DR
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
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