Aryna Sabalenka is the first player to secure a semi-final spot at the WTA Finals but her victory over Jasmine Paolini spells the end of the road for Elena Rybakina.

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka fell to Elena Rybakina 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 in the WTA Finals group stage on Wednesday. Sabalenka hasn't been eliminated from competition yet as she already clinched her group. It was a big upset as Rybakina is coming off two months of a break from tennis.

In her most recent match on September 30, 2024, Sabalenka won 6-2, 6-2 against Ashlyn Krueger in the Round of 32 of the China Open. In her last match, which was slated for August 29, 2024 at the US Open, Rybakina was eliminated against Jessika Ponchet via walkover.

On Wednesday, Aryna Sabalenka (No. 1 in the world) takes on Elena Rybakina (No. 5) in the Round Robin at the Akron WTA Finals Guadalajara.Sabalenka’s last competition was a win, 6-2, 6-2,

There is not much left for Aryna Sabalenka to accomplish this season. Sabalenka has already clinched the WTA year-end No. 1 ranking to cap off her two Grand Slam titles.However, every match is important to Sabalenka.

Elena Rybakina promised she would not go down easily against Aryna Sabalenka and kept her word after beating the new world No. 1 6-4 3-6 6-1.

TL;DR: Live stream Sabalenka vs. Rybakina in the 2024 WTA Finals for free on TVNZ+. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Zheng Qinwen crushed Jasmine Paolini to reach the WTA Finals last four as an already-qualified Aryna Sabalenka lost to an inspired Elena Rybakina .

Elena Rybakina has declared she wants to enjoy her match with Aryna Sabalenka at the 2024 WTA Finals and make it “difficult” for the Belarusian. The Kazakh star was beaten 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-1 by world No 7 Zheng Qinwen in her second round robin match at the WTA Finals in Riyadh on Monday.