The windy condition in Cancun was making it difficult for the players to play their shots. It was the match between Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina which had to be suspended for some time due to the bad weather. And fans were certainly not happy with it.
Elena and Aryna were playing their final matches of the round-robin stage and it was a do-or-die for both the players. Aryna Sabalenka is the top seed in the WTA Finals. Whoever wins the match will make it to the semifinals. She won her first match against Maria Sakkari and lost to Jessica Pegula in her second match. Elena Rybakina who is seeded fourth in this tournament also has the same win-loss record as Sabalenka. Jessica Pegula from the Bacalar Group has already qualified for the semifinal with her win against Maria Sakkari earlier today. But, the second spot is yet to be filled as their match has been suspended.
The winds were strong from the very start of the match and started distorting the play during the first set. Along with the wind came rain which made it even harder to continue. The game was stalled on multiple occasions due to the bad weather and was finally suspended during the 2nd set.
Aryna Sabalenka won the first set 6-3 and Rybakina was leading the second set by 3-5 when the bad weather struck. Rybakina seemed to get her momentum back in the second set and now hopes to push it to the decider as the match resumes on Friday.
During the match, Rybakina was serving in the first set at 5-1, tossed the ball up and the ball drifted in the air. Rybakina couldn’t judge the ball and hit a double serve fault.
It was a crucial serve for Elena as she was behind in the set. But the drifting of the ball and the fan’s reaction couldn’t stop her from smiling.
Elena Rybakina throws up the ball, but the wind has a mind of its own.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 3, 2023
Elena smiles.
The crowd cheers for her & tries to give her support.
Trying to make the best of a tough situation, but she hits a double fault.
These conditions are dreadful. pic.twitter.com/8mPI9YSCux
Aryna Sabalenka wants to dress up like a “Barbie or a ghost”
Aryna Sabalenka wants to dress up like a “Barbie or a ghost” for Halloween.
In an interview before the start of the tournament, with Halloween a few days away, Sabalenka was asked how would she like to dress up for the event. The Belarusian said that she never got a chance to go to a Halloween event.
It is because she is always busy playing tournaments at this time every year. It is no different this year as Halloween takes place on 31st October every year she is playing in the WTA Finals.
But if she ever gets a chance to go to a Halloween event, she would like to dress up like a Barbie or a ghost.
