World Tennis League Final Preview: Sabalenka, Rublev, Rybakina, and Shapovalov headline title showdown

The third edition of the World Tennis League reaches its conclusion with Team Falcons and Team Hawks battling for the title. Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, and Andrey Rublev headline the stars aiming for glory this Sunday.

The two teams previously faced off, with the Falcons claiming an early victory. However, the tournament’s rules turned the tables as the Hawks secured wins in their first three consecutive matches. A pivotal triumph by Rublev over Jordan Thompson, cemented in Overtime and a Super Shoot-Out, proved decisive in securing the overall victory.

While the final matchups remain undecided, the options are limited, with only four players per team. On the women’s side, Mirra Andreeva and Aryna Sabalenka (Hawks) have been the team’s reliable core. The duo has claimed victories in all three of their doubles matches, and both players boast perfect singles records—Sabalenka with two wins and Andreeva with one.

Despite pre-tournament concerns about their male lineup, featuring Jordan Thompson (No. 26) and Sumit Nagal (No. 98), the Hawks have performed well. The pair has won two out of three doubles matches, though neither has secured a singles victory.

When the Hawks faced the Falcons on the opening day, Nagal and Thompson defeated Rublev and Denis Shapovalov 7-5 in a closely contested doubles match. However, Thompson’s decisive loss to Rublev in singles ultimately cost them a series that seemed within reach.

The Falcons boast a balanced and formidable lineup. Their women’s team features Caroline Garcia and Elena Rybakina, both strong contenders on the tour, though they are striving to regain top form for 2025. Against Andreeva and Sabalenka, Garcia and Rybakina suffered a tie-break defeat in doubles. Rybakina also lost to Sabalenka in singles, again in a tie-break. With more match rhythm now, Garcia and Rybakina pose a greater threat to the Hawks’ dominant duo of the teenage Russian and the world No. 1.