Elena Rybakina launched her WTA Finals journey with an impressive victory on Saturday night, decisively defeating Amanda Anisimova with a score of 6-3, 6-1 in her first round-robin match. This win not only marked a strong start to her Finals campaign but also allowed her to achieve a remarkable milestone: she has now claimed victory over every player in the Top 10 rankings during her career, with Anisimova, ranked fourth, being the last player she needed to defeat.
Rybakina’s journey through the ranks of elite players includes significant wins against top competitors. Notably, her record consists of victories over the following Top 10 players:
– No. 1 Iga Swiatek during the fourth round of the 2024 Australian Open
– No. 2 Ons Jabeur in the final of the 2022 Wimbledon
– No. 3 Karolína Plíšková in the quarterfinals of the 2020 Dubai tournament
– No. 4 Amanda Anisimova in the 2025 WTA Finals round-robin
– No. 5 Elina Svitolina in the second round of the 2021 Eastbourne event
– No. 6 Simona Halep during the third round of the 2019 Wuhan Open
– No. 7 Caroline Garcia at the second round of the 2018 St. Petersburg event
– No. 8 Serena Williams in the fourth round of the 2021 French Open
– No. 9 Garbiñe Muguruza at the quarterfinals of the 2021 Olympics
– No. 10 Paula Badosa in the third round of the 2025 Dubai tournament
In addition to her impressive wins against Top 10 players, Rybakina has also triumphed over every player in the Top 15. Her competitive spirit has continued to shine, with a total of 27 career victories against Top 10 players. Currently, she only has five players from the Top 50 left to conquer, namely those ranked 16, 25, 34, 37, and 43.
Rybakina’s exceptional performance and determination highlight her status as one of the rising stars in women’s tennis, and fans will be eager to see how she continues her campaign in the Finals.