Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the WTA Finals Riyadh match.
Paolini is enjoying the best season of her career, with every match in this tournament serving as a platform to affirm her status among the elite. Conversely, Rybakina is grappling with physical challenges and is compelled to adjust to a lack of match play. For the Kazakh athlete, participating in the tournament may be an attempt to regain her competitive rhythm, while for Paolini, it's an opportunity to make her mark at a new level.
Jasmine Paolini
Ranked fourth in the world, Paolini has had a stellar season with a 39-18 record, capturing the WTA-1000 title in Dubai and reaching two Grand Slam finals. She showcases confident play on fast surfaces, with powerful shots from both wings and an aggressive baseline style. Despite her preference for clay, the Italian has proven her versatility, consistently winning on hard courts with 19 victories. Jasmine is particularly effective on return, ranking in the top 8 for percentage of games won on return (40.5%) among players with over 50 matches this season.
Elena Rybakina
Rybakina, despite having numerous breaks this season, retains a high ranking and remains one of the most formidable players on the circuit. Her serving stats are among the best this season, standing second in aces (336) and boasting a lofty service games won percentage (79.7%). However, instability in recent months, including 10 tournament withdrawals and extended absences, raises questions about her readiness for the final tournament in Riyadh. Despite claiming three WTA-500 titles this year, her first serve accuracy has dwindled to a 50% success rate, leading to a high number of double faults. With such inconsistency, the Kazakh player may struggle to maintain her ultra-aggressive style and close out points successfully.
Jasmine Paolini vs Elena Rybakina Prediction
Paolini has been delivering steady results and maintaining regular match play since late September, whereas Rybakina has competed in just two matches since Wimbledon in July. Serving issues and a persistent back injury, which have plagued her throughout the season, cast doubt on her form. The smart bet is on Paolini to win.
