The WTA Finals will crown a maiden champion on Saturday, November 8.
Aryna Sabalenka will play Elena Rybakina for the 14th time. Sabalenka owns the head-to-head 8-5.
A new champ will be crowned 🏆⁰⁰Aryna Sabalenka vs. Elena Rybakina⁰⁰Presented by @CorpayFX pic.twitter.com/Qg5Y1YDvPO
— wta (@WTA) November 7, 2025
Since the 2023 China Open, the two have played eight times and each player won every other time.
Their last meeting was at the Wuhan Open quarterfinals where Sabalenka won in straight sets.
Rybakina and Sabalenka played in only one Grand Slam final in their careers; that was the 2023 Australian Open when Sabalenka won her maiden Grand Slam. It was a come-from-behind win for Sabalenka who dropped the first set and won the next two.
At that time, we expected to see Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina compete against each other in many finals; however, the success of Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, and other talented WTA players prevented that from happening.
Aryna Sabalenka Is The Favorite
Elena Rybakina is riding a weeks-long match winning streak which is great for the confidence but tough on the body.
Rybakina d. Jessica Pegula 4-6 6-4 6-3 at the WTA Finals in Riyadh
ELENA REACHES HER FIRST WTA FINALS CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH.
15 aces today.
10th consecutive win.
10th top 10 win of 2025.
She’s now won her last 6 meetings against top 10 players.
✅22nd career final
✅58th… pic.twitter.com/n64uPjyumY— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 7, 2025
She has not exhibited signs of exhaustion, but the tape on her shoulder in the past two matches, shows the effects of the schedule.
On the other hand, Sabalenka, as World No. 1, is expected to win this match. She has long said that winning the WTA Finals is important to her. Next to the Grand Slams, the WTA Finals is the crown jewel of tournaments because only the top eight players compete.
INSANE court coverage 😱😱
Sabalenka shows why she’s the World No. 1#WTAFinalyRidaydh pic.twitter.com/dcdA7PyHxb
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) November 7, 2025
Both players know that the long tennis season is over after tomorrow’s match. Each will give it her all. Only one can win so it will be either the most consistent player in the 2025 season (Sabalenka) or the most consistent player this fall (Rybakina).
Fans are hoping for a three set duel to determine the winner.
Watch the WTA Finals on the Tennis Channel on Saturday, November 8 at 11 AM ET.
