Jannik Sinner Returns Strong in Vienna as Elena Rybakina Chases Riyadh Finals Spot
The tennis season is entering its final stretch, and the competition is heating up across Vienna, Basel, and Tokyo tournaments.
With only a few major events left in 2025, players are fighting hard to secure their year-end championship spots.
Elena Rybakina, who just lifted the title in Ningbo, is now just two wins away from qualifying for Riyadh.
Her chances brightened after Mirra Andreeva, sitting seventh in the Riyadh race, chose not to play the WTA 500 in Tokyo.
Currently ranked ninth, Rybakina can surpass Andreeva if she reaches the semifinals in Tokyo this week.
As the top seed in Tokyo, Rybakina enjoys a first-round bye, needing only two wins to clinch her spot in Riyadh.
She will face either Leylah Fernandez or Maria Sakkari in her opening match, both known for their aggressive baseline play.
In the following round, Rybakina could meet one among Victoria Mboko, Bianca Andreescu, Katie Boulter, or Eva Lys.
Given her dominant form in Ningbo, Rybakina remains a heavy favorite against any of these potential challengers.
If she falls short of the semifinals, Andreeva automatically secures the final place in the Riyadh Finals lineup.
Meanwhile, on the ATP side, world No. 1 Jannik Sinner is back in action at the Vienna Open this week.
Sinner, who had to withdraw from Shanghai due to cramps, looks determined to reclaim his dominant form before Turin.
The Italian star has already qualified for the ATP Finals but aims to gather more points and momentum in Vienna.
He previously won the Vienna title two years ago, marking a major milestone on his journey to the world No. 1 ranking.
With a victory here, Sinner could move 500 points closer to his rival Carlos Alcaraz in the ATP standings.
He opens his campaign against Germany’s Daniel Altmaier, a player known for his endurance and consistent groundstrokes.
If successful, Sinner could face Alexander Bublik in a thrilling third-round clash filled with explosive shot-making.
As both Sinner and Rybakina chase their season-end goals, fans can expect a week packed with intensity and excitement.
Every match in Vienna and Tokyo now carries immense weight for players striving to finish the season on a winning note.
Tennis fans worldwide will watch closely as these stars battle for glory, pride, and crucial ranking points before year’s end.
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