(VIDEO) Comparison video of Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka posted from China Open

The Instagram account of the China Open shared a video comparing Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka.

One of the standout matchups from the last WTA 1000 tournament of the year occurred in the quarterfinals. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka faced off against World No. 5 Elena Rybakina, reminiscent of their meeting in the Australian Open final, although this time the victory went to the Kazakh, 7-5, 6-2.

In one hour and 36 minutes, Rybakina capitalized on her strong serve, firing 12 aces compared to Sabalenka's 4. She also maintained a 62% first-serve percentage, winning 77% of those points, and a 50% success rate on the second serve. In contrast, her opponent had a lower 50% first-serve percentage, winning 74% of those points, and only a 38% success rate on the second serve.

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The video shown before the match displayed a split-screen sequence, featuring Rybakina and Sabalenka training side by side. The footage captured them as they arrived at the training court, practiced their forehands and backhands, and even demonstrated both of them approaching the net to work on short shots.

The caption accompanying the video reads, "Sabalenka or Rybakina? 👀 Who wins tonight’s quarterfinal? #ChinaOpen."

Rybakina and Sabalenka have a head-to-head record that favors the Belarusian at 4-2, with Sabalenka winning the first four meetings, all of them going to three sets: in 2019 at Wuhan, then twice in 2021 at Abu Dhabi and Wimbledon, as well as the final of the 2023 Aussie Open, which gave Sabalenka her first Grand Slam title to date.

However, the former Wimbledon champion has closed the gap in their head-to-head encounters, winning in straight sets in their last two meetings: the final of Indian Wells and the recent quarterfinals in Beijing. Nevertheless, Rybakina eventually fell to Liudmila Samsonova in straight sets.

Both athletes will once again be in the same tournament at the WTA Finals in Cancun, starting from October 30, which brings together the top eight players of the year.

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