Elena Rybakina defeats Maria Sakkari; sets up tantalizing encounter with world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a must-win clash

Elena Rybakina defeated No.9 Maria Sakkari 6-0, 6-7(4), 7-6(2) at the GNP Seguros WTA Finals Cancun to keep her chances of progressing out of the Bacalar Group alive.

Rybakina's victory moved her into a tie for second place in the group with No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and ensured that Pegula would finish first in the group and advance to Saturday's semi-finals.

The second qualifier will be determined by the winner of Thursday's final group match between Rybakina and Sabalenka, a rematch of the Australian Open and Indian Wells finals. Sakkari has been eliminated.

Sakkari admitted to being out of shape and lacking confidence following her 6-0, 6-1 loss to Sabalenka in her opener. Her lack of rhythm carried over into the first set, which lasted 22 minutes.

Sakkari sat at her bench, disappointed and frustrated, and muttered to coach Tom Hill, "I'm done."

However, the Greek's outburst was the ideal release. Sakkari saved three break points early in the second set to stay with Rybakina after being broken three times in the first.

The pair went to a tiebreak after 12 consecutive holds. Rybakina led 2-0 but was unable to hold on to her lead. Sakkari stormed back from the baseline, playing steady but aggressive tennis, to win the tiebreak and force a decider.

Rybakina hooked a forehand wide at 4-4, 15-30, giving Sakkari two chances to win the game and serve for the match. However, the 2022 Wimbledon champion played her most resilient tennis of the match, out-rallying Sakkari from the baseline and taking a 5-4 lead.

Rybakina built an early lead in the deciding third set, but she refused to give it up this time. After winning the first six points in the tiebreak, Rybakina went on to close out the win in 2 hours and 24 minutes.

Rybakina has won her last two meetings with Sabalenka, at Indian Wells and the China Open three weeks ago. Sabalenka won their biggest match of the year, coming back to win the Australian Open final 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

"Now it's gonna be either you win and you stay or you lose and you go back home," Rybakina said. "So it's kind of now the same as the other tournaments. It's not going to be easy, and I'm going to try to do my best."

SportsLigue