WTA Finals 2024: Elena Rybakina vs Zheng Qinwen preview, head-to-head, prediction, and pick
Match Details
Fixture: Elena Rybakina vs Zheng Qinwen
Date: November 4, 2024
Tournament: WTA Finals 2024
Round: Group Stage
Venue: King Saud University Indoor Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Category: Year-end championships
Surface: Hard (Indoor)
Prize Money: $15.25 million
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN
Elena Rybakina vs Zheng Qinwen preview
World No. 5 Elena Rybakina will take on Zheng Qinwen in the group stage match of the WTA Finals on Monday.
Rybakina is one of the best timers of the tennis ball on tour. She's chalked up 41 wins from 50 matches this year, including title-winning runs in the Brisbane International, Abu Dhabi Open, and the Stuttgart Open. She also secured runner-up finishes in the Miami Open and the Qatar Open, where she lost to Iga Swiatek in straight sets.
The 25-year-old entered the WTA Finals on the back of a second-round exit in New York. She started her campaign with a hard-fought loss against Jasmine Paolini in the first bout, 7-6(5), 6-4, and will be determined to get on the board in Riyadh and provide competition in the Purple group.
Zheng Qinwen, meanwhile, created history for China by winning a gold medal in the Paris Olympics and also captured titles in Palermo and Tokyo. She defeated Sofia Kenin in the finals of the Japan Women's Open, 7-6(5), 6-3.
The 22-year-old started her campaign in Riyadh with a defeat to Aryna Sabalenka. Despite a valiant effort against the Belarusian, Sabalenka defeated her in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4. Qinwen is making her first appearance at the WTA Finals this year.
Elena Rybakina vs Zheng Qinwen head-to-head
Rybakina leads the head-to-head against Qinwen 2-0. She defeated her most recently in the 2023 China Open.
Elena Rybakina vs Zheng Qinwen odds
Odds will be updated when available.
Elena Rybakina vs Zheng Qinwen prediction
Elena Rybakina looked slightly rusty after making her first appearance on the main tour in two months. The Kazakh will need to raise her level to challenge Qinwen on Monday and remain in contention to qualify for the semifinals. She fired eight aces against Paolini but lost 50% of her first serve points in the last match.
Qinwen, on the contrary, once again failed to solve the riddle against Aryna Sabalenka. The Chinese had entered Riyadh on the back of 12 wins from 14 matches on tour and will be eager to make a strong impression at the event. She has a resilient all-around game and has improved her movement in recent years.
Qinwen trails the head-to-head battle against Rybakina 2-0, but the Chinese hasn't faced the Kazakh in recent times. She's been much more clinical lately and is expected to present a stern challenge to Rybakina. The player who begins well will have the upper hand in this bout, and considering their match fitness, Qinwen might come out on top.
Pick: Zheng Qinwen to win in three sets.