Cancun chaos sees Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina WTA Finals match postponed due to rain delays, set to return Friday
WTA
Two players have been heavily vocal about the chaos created in Cancun at the WTA Finals saw their group stage conclusion halted for now on Thursday night.
Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina who were facing off in a winner takes all match for a spot in the semi-finals will now have to return tonight during the conclusion of the Chetumal Group in order to complete their match.
It was a match defined by a multitude of rain delays, with play suspended officially at 6-2, 3-5 to Sabalenka with Rybakina serving for a deciding set.
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The players left the court for the last time at 11:40pm, more than three hours after the match began with towels over their heads after spending most of the match frustrated and on and off the court.
Rybakina in particular will hope it doesn't dent her chances with the Kazakh serving to even the match at a set apiece when play was called off.
Jessica Pegula who was already through anyway bookended her qualification by seeing off Maria Sakkari for 3-0 who on the reverse leaves Cancun 0-3, the same scoreline that the American left 12 months ago.
Iga Swiatek is already through to the semi-finals from the Chetumal Group, but all other players are technically still alive setting up a thrilling Friday.
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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