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Sabalenka 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 \u2026 but she gets the ball to drop and level up at 30-all. A whippy forehand moves Sabalenka to break point. She can\u2019t convert before Rybakina delivers a second-serve ace, surprising her opponent with the wide hit. Then comes another delicious serve.<\/p>\n
Share<\/a><\/p>\n *Sabalenka 2-2 Rybakina (* denotes server): Rybakina\u2019s forehand return goes wild as Sabalenka holds to love.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Sabalenka 1-2 Rybakina* (* denotes server): At 30-all, Rybakina unleashes an ace down the T, then one out wide. Dominant work.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n *Sabalenka 1-1 Rybakina (* denotes server): Rybakina pings a vicious, flat forehand return but Sabalenka has the power to reclaim control and win the point. Rybakina\u2019s down-the-line forehand is in good order, though, and it takes her to deuce before Sabalenka, trapped on the baseline, finds the net. Break point. Sabalenka is forced to fight hard in a lengthy rally, and unleashes a roar after a backhand winner. She holds, just.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Sabalenka 0-1 Rybakina* (* denotes server): Here we go. It\u2019s Rybakina to unleash her monster serve \u2026 it\u2019s 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\u2019s no early slip-up.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Laura Robson is backing Rybakina; Tim Henman says it\u2019s Sabalenka\u2019s. The world No 1 has never won this comp, finishing as runner-up in 2022 to Caroline Garcia.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The players walk on to the techno club floor\/tennis court. We\u2019ll get going very shortly.<\/p>\n Kazakhstan\u2019s Elena Rybakina poses with Belarus\u2019 Aryna Sabalenka before their final match. Photograph: St\u00e9phanie Lecocq\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a011.20 EST<\/p>\n Sabalenka leads the head-to-head with Rybakina 8-5; the former triumphed in straight sets when they met at Wuhan last month.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The ATP show kicks off tomorrow.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Preamble<\/p>\n It\u2019s a fitting climax. The two players have come through the tournament unbeaten, battling through three sets in the semis. For Aryna Sabalenka<\/a> this could be a wonderful way to wrap up a blistering year: one of three grand slam finals, another US Open title and her place secure as the world No 1.<\/p>\n Elena Rybakina, however, has found some serious form. Her title in Ningbo last month has been backed up by wins against Iga Swiatek and Amanda Anisimova in Riyadh. This is her chance to get back at the player who denied her an Australian Open triumph in 2023. We\u2019ll get going at 4pm GMT.<\/p>\n