Aryna Sabalenka had already qualified for the semi-finals after winning her first two matches, but her unbeaten run in the tournament has now come to an end.

Rybakina claimed a three-set victory against Sabalenka to end her WTA Finals and 2024 season on a positive note.

What does Aryna Sabalenka want to learn following her defeat to Elena Rybakina at the WTA Finals?

Elena Rybakina entered the WTA Finals with just three matches under her belt since the Wimbledon Championships.

With two defeats in Riyadh and no chance of making the semi-finals, in her toughest test since returning, Rybakina triumphed 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 over the World number one.

Sabalenka’s sveen-match win streak is now over and she had no answer from a near flawless serving performance from Rybakina in set three, who won each point behind her first serve.

Post-match, Sabalenka stressed the need to learn how to maintain her level even in matches with nothing at stake. “Well, honestly, this is something I have to learn,” the 26-year-old said.

“How to keep myself motivated and hungry and being 100% on in this kind of matches when you know that you’re already in the semis and the only motivation for you is points and money. But that was tricky.

“And you see someone up on another side, and especially with such a high-level player who has kind of like nothing to lose, and she was just going for her shots and everything was going in.

“I would say that emotionally, the first set, I was kind of off — not kind of — I was really off, and that’s something I have to fix before the semis.”

How many times has Elena Rybakina beaten Aryna Sabalenka?

Rybakina’s victory over Sabalenka is now the fourth time the World number five has secured victory over the three-time Grand Slam winner.

Rybakina now has multiple wins over World number one players in 2024, after beating Iga Swiatek when she was the top ranked player at the Stuttgart Open in April.

She now has six total wins against World number one players in her career, and this latest win will give Rybakina some confidence heading into 2025.

“It was a tough match. I’m really happy I managed to win. It’s nice to finish the year with at least one win against the World number one,” she said post-match.

“She has all the chances to win also. Good luck to her. I’m just happy. Thank you so much guys for the support.”