Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the WTA Finals match.
Elena Rybakina is already through to the play-offs, while Madison Keys is practically packing after a heavy defeat to Iga Świątek and a loss to Amanda Anisimova. The Kazakh is playing for prize money and top spot in the group, while the American is playing for pride and to avoid leaving with three defeats.
Elena Rybakina
Elena Rybakina is finishing the season strongly. In September she won the title at the Ningbo Open (WTA 250), beating Ekaterina Alexandrova in the final (3:6, 6:0, 6:2). In August she reached the semi-finals at the National Bank Open (Montreal) (lost only to Victoria Mboko) and the Western & Southern Open (lost to Iga Świątek). She has already qualified for the WTA Finals play-offs: she defeated Iga Świątek (6:0, 6:1), becoming the fifth player in history to hand the world No. 1 a bagel.
Madison Keys
Madison Keys arrived in Riyadh with a virus. Against Iga Świątek she looked out of sorts: seven double faults, 47% first-serve points won and only one break point. Against Amanda Anisimova she improved, but by the middle of the second set she faded — only three winners in the set. Indoors since 2018 — two wins in eight matches. The head-to-head with Elena Rybakina is level (3:3), but in every meeting the Kazakh took at least one set.
Elena Rybakina vs Madison Keys Prediction
After the Ningbo Open and a bagel against Iga Świątek, Elena Rybakina should use her serve and forehand to finish off Keys, whose return game is weak after the virus. The American will compete, but should lose in two sets.
