Elena Rybakina's serve holds off Maria Sakkari at 2023 WTA Finals, setting up semi final cliffhanger chance vs Sabalenka
WTA
Elena
Rybakina defeated Maria Sakkari 6-0, 6-7(4), 7-6(2) and keeps her chances alive
in the WTA Finals.
Maria
Sakkari had a forgettable debut at the WTA Finals this year, losing
convincingly to world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka by 6-0, 6-1 in a match where she
never looked comfortable, even shedding tears during the changeovers due to
frustration with her poor level of play.
Her
opponent on this day was Elena Rybakina, who was defeated by Jessica Pegula
7-5, 6-2 in her first match of the tournament. Both players needed to win this
match to stay alive in the Bacalar Group, and a loss would mean they could only
advance to the round-robin phase if they won their third match.
Read also
Sakkari's
dreadful performance in her first match seemed like it would repeat itself
against Rybakina, as the Greek player seemed disconnected and was completely
outplayed by her opponent from the start.
It took
only 22 minutes for the 2022 Wimbledon champion to claim the first set with an
impeccable display of excellent tennis. Rybakina won 91% of the points on her
first serve and 60% on her second, which was far superior to Sakkari's 36% on
the first serve and 29% on the second.
The Kazakhstani player was more aggressive from the beginning, taking six consecutive games and
winning 74% of the points played. Sakkari was very imprecise with 10 unforced
errors, while Rybakina capitalized on the opportunities she had, totaling 8
winners to take the set 6-0.
At the
beginning of the second set, it seemed like Sakkari would be easily defeated
again as she conceded two break points to her opponent. However, she managed to
hit a couple of good serves and secured her first game of the evening.
Sakkari
took a breather thanks to the game she won and completely changed her approach
in the second set, focusing more on precision in her serves and being less
aggressive.
Both
players held their serves to reach 6-6 without any breaks, and in the
tie-break, Sakkari found her strength, putting her earlier struggles behind her
and aiming for a third set.
The third
set turned into a battle between the two players, with both showcasing their
best form of the match. The first break came in the sixth game in favor of
Rybakina, who took a 4-2 lead. However, the Greek player quickly broke back,
leveling the score at 4-4.
Both
players held their serves, taking the match to a final tie-break, where
Rybakina displayed greater aggression with 2 magnificent backhands and composure to claim the exciting match
by 6-0, 6-7(4), 7-6(2).
As a
result, the first two days for the Bacalar Group have been completed, with
Jessica Pegula securing her spot in the first position and playing the decisive
match against Maria Sakkari, who is eliminated after two losses.
The second
spot to advance will be determined by the match between Aryna Sabalenka and
Elena Rybakina, deciding who will accompany Pegula to the semifinals.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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