7 h. ago WTA Finals: Aryna Sabalenka beaten ahead of 'Battle of the Sexes' as Elena Rybakina claims title

Former Wimbledon champion dominated in the Middle East

Events

12 h. ago Aryna Sabalenka in tears after missing out on biggest payday in women’s tennis history

Despite her defeat to Elena Rybakina in the final, Sabalenka set a new WTA record for season earnings at just over $15m

Events

12 h. ago Elena Rybakina sinks Aryna Sabalenka to claim WTA Finals and record prize

Former Wimbledon champion wins 6-3, 7-6 (0)Unbeaten Rybakina takes home £3.98mElena Rybakina re-established herself as one of the significant players in women’s tennis as she closed out a week of devastating performances against the best in the world by completely overpowering Aryna Sabalenka to capture one of the biggest titles of her career at the WTA Finals in Riyadh with a 6-3, 7-6 (0) win.Having finished the season-ending tournament unbeaten in her five matches, Rybakina is now $5.235m (£3.98m) richer, earning the greatest prize money haul in the history of women’s sports. The victory marks the 26-year-old’s fourth big title after wins at Wimbledon in 2022, and Indian Wells and the Italian Open a year later. This is her third title of the season and her 11th title on the WTA Tour overall. Continue reading...

Politics

12 h. ago WTA Finals tennis: Elena Rybakina rocks Aryna Sabalenka to claim title – live

Game-by-game updates from the final in RiyadhSign up for The Recap newsletter | Email TahaSabalenka 2-3 Rybakina* (* denotes server): At 15-30, Sabalenka has an opening. Rybakina advances to the net and is so very nearly beaten by a backhand pass but she gets the ball to drop and level up at 30-all. A whippy forehand moves Sabalenka to break point. She can’t convert before Rybakina delivers a second-serve ace, surprising her opponent with the wide hit. Then comes another delicious serve.*Sabalenka 2-2 Rybakina (* denotes server): Rybakina’s forehand return goes wild as Sabalenka holds to love. Continue reading...

Politics

13 h. ago WTA Finals live: Rybakina topples Sabalenka to win biggest payday in women’s tennis history

Rybakina produced a flawless performance to defeat World No 1 Sabalenka 6-3 7-6 (7-0) and win the $5.23m prize

Politics

14 h. ago WTA Finals tennis: Aryna Sabalenka v Elena Rybakina in the final – live

Game-by-game updates from the final in RiyadhSign up for The Recap newsletter | Email TahaSabalenka 0-1 Rybakina* (* denotes server): Here we go. It’s Rybakina to unleash her monster serve it’s a thumping backhand that gives her the first point. A forehand down the line takes her to 40-15 but she then goes long twice to keep Sabalenka in the hunt. At deuce comes a terrific serve out wide and Rybakina ensures there’s no early slip-up.Laura Robson is backing Rybakina; Tim Henman says it’s Sabalenka’s. The world No 1 has never won this comp, finishing as runner-up in 2022 to Caroline Garcia. Continue reading...

Politics

17 h. ago WTA Finals live: Aryna Sabalenka v Elena Rybakina latest score and updates from big

Sabalenka and Rybakina are attempting to win the WTA Finals for a first time and will compete for the $5.23m prize

Sport

20 h. ago WTA Finals prize money: How much is on the line as Sabalenka and Rybakina compete for biggest payday in women’s tennis?

World No 1 Sabalenka could earn more for winning the WTA Finals undefeated than she did for winning the US Open title

Economics

32 h. ago Sabalenka to face Rybakina in WTA Finals decider after holding off Anisimova

World No 1 triumphs 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in epic semi-finalRybakina battles back to defeat Pegula 4-6, 6-4, 6-3Aryna Sabalenka will attempt to close out one of the greatest seasons of her career by winning the WTA Finals for the first time as she rekindles her rivalry with Elena Rybakina in the final of the season-ending championships.In the final stages of a tournament that has spectacularly produced both drama and quality, semi-final day in Riyadh further underscored the fierce competition at the top of women’s tennis today with two excellent three-set contests. Continue reading...

Politics

35 h. ago WTA Finals tennis: Aryna Sabalenka beats Amanda Anisimova in semi

Sabalenka will face Rybakina in Saturday’s finalGet in touch! Send your thoughts to NiallFirst set: Pegula 2-2* Rybakina (*denotes next server) Rybakina had started the stronger but lost her way in that last service game. Can Pegula back up the break? An early double fault doesn’t help matters, and Rybakina outlasts her in a rally to earn break point. From the middle of the court, Rybakina lands an inside-out forehand on the line, and we’re back on serve.Cam Norrie is playing in the Metz semi-finals; he’s trailing Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 0-1. In Athens, Novak Djokovic is facing Yannick Hanfmann; it’s on serve in their semi-final. Continue reading...

Politics

37 h. ago WTA Finals tennis: Aryna Sabalenka v Amanda Anisimova in semi

Winner faces Elena Rybakina in Saturday’s finalGet in touch! Send your thoughts to NiallFirst set: Pegula 2-2* Rybakina (*denotes next server) Rybakina had started the stronger but lost her way in that last service game. Can Pegula back up the break? An early double fault doesn’t help matters, and Rybakina outlasts her in a rally to earn break point. From the middle of the court, Rybakina lands an inside-out forehand on the line, and we’re back on serve.Cam Norrie is playing in the Metz semi-finals; he’s trailing Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 0-1. In Athens, Novak Djokovic is facing Yannick Hanfmann; it’s on serve in their semi-final. Continue reading...

Politics

37 h. ago Elena Rybakina fights back against Jessica Pegula to book place in WTA Finals title clash

Rybakina will face either Aryna Sabalenka or Amanda Anisimova for a shot at her first season-ending crown

Sport

37 h. ago WTA Finals live: Elena Rybakina overcomes Jessica Pegula in tight three

A place in the WTA Finals showpiece is on the line as the final four compete in Riyadh today

Politics

37 h. ago WTA Finals tennis: Elena Rybakina defeats Jessica Pegula in semi

Sabalenka faces Anisimova in second semi-finalGet in touch! Send your thoughts to NiallFirst set: Pegula 2-2* Rybakina (*denotes next server) Rybakina had started the stronger but lost her way in that last service game. Can Pegula back up the break? An early double fault doesn’t help matters, and Rybakina outlasts her in a rally to earn break point. From the middle of the court, Rybakina lands an inside-out forehand on the line, and we’re back on serve.Cam Norrie is playing in the Metz semi-finals; he’s trailing Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 0-1. In Athens, Novak Djokovic is facing Yannick Hanfmann; it’s on serve in their semi-final. Continue reading...

Politics

41 h. ago WTA Finals live: Rybakina faces Pegula for spot in final before Sabalenka takes on Anisimova

A place in the WTA Finals showpiece is on the line as the final four compete in Riyadh today

Politics

58 h. ago Coco Gauff lands enormous payday despite WTA Finals defeat to Aryna Sabalenka

Aryna Sabalenka is into the WTA Finals semi-finals at the expense of defending champion Coco Gauff – but that hasn't stopped the American from landing herself a huge payday

Politics

58 h. ago Aryna Sabalenka roars past holder Coco Gauff to reach WTA Finals last

Sabalenka beat holder Gauff 7-6(5) 6-2 to book her place in the WTA Finals last-four

Politics

61 h. ago WTA Finals tennis: Jessica Pegula beats Jasmine Paolini, Aryna Sabalenka v Coco Gauff – as it happened

Jessica Pegula hammered Jasmine Paolini before Aryna Sabalenka dismissed Coco Gauff, the two winners moving on to the semi-finals Paolini nets to go down 0-15 but soon makes 30-15, and a backhand swiped wide gives her game point. And though a decent return incites her to go wide, a decent first serve serve secures the hold. “It’s always good to get the first game under your belt,” revelates Tim Henman.Ready play. Continue reading...

Politics

61 h. ago WTA Finals tennis: Jessica Pegula beats Jasmine Paolini, Aryna Sabalenka defeats Coco Gauff – as it happened

Jessica Pegula hammered Jasmine Paolini before Aryna Sabalenka dismissed Coco Gauff, the two winners moving on to the semi-finals Paolini nets to go down 0-15 but soon makes 30-15, and a backhand swiped wide gives her game point. And though a decent return incites her to go wide, a decent first serve serve secures the hold. “It’s always good to get the first game under your belt,” revelates Tim Henman.Ready play. Continue reading...

Politics

61 h. ago WTA Finals live: Sabalenka dumps out defending champion Gauff as Pegula also advances

Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula reached the semi-finals on the final day of the round-robin

Sport