“Obviously the season is long. The second part of it I think people are more fatigued. The Asian Swing is the hardest because you feel the finish line coming, but you still have to push,” These were the words of six-time slam queen Iga Swiatek, as she called out the WTA for mismanaging the tennis calendar. Especially toward the end of the season when players are supposed to take a rest. On the contrary, many of them are still competing in different tournaments to make sure their ranking points don’t drop. One such star is Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina whose thoughts seem to align with Swiatek. While the former Wimbledon winner is going through a smooth form, right before the challenge in Riyadh, she hasn’t refrained from expressing her views on scheduling.

Rybakina is currently in the race to qualify for the WTA Finals. After her Ningbo Open title win, the former World No.3 has strengthened her chances, although the success has come at a cost. Following her victory last week, she admitted. “It hasn’t been an easy year for all of us… Difficult schedule.” Rybakina has been playing nonstop this season, thus forcing her to make such a confession. Playing in her next event within a week, in Tokyo, the Kazakh star once again reiterated her feelings.

Although she won her first round with ease (6-4, 6-3) against Leylah Fernandez, Rybakina couldn’t help but admit, “I’m feeling a little bit tired of course but I’m ready to make a last push.” On her results, she added, “I’m very happy with the last week, and I’m trying to bring everything from last week into here.”

Speaking of the “last push,” she was suggesting her prospects for the WTA Finals. After winning the trophy in Ningbo and now her maiden encounter in Tokyo, Rybakina has pushed herself on the brink of qualification.

The World No. 7 is just one win away from officially sealing her spot for the year-end tournament. She was in close competition with Russian prodigy and teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva. However, the latter is now almost out of the race. Especially after her unfortunate withdrawal from Tokyo, due to not having a visa.

Andreeva needed to make a deep run this week at the WTA 500 tournament in order to boost her WTA Finals chances. But now that she is missing from action and Rybakina is continuing her winning streak, the 18-year-old’s hopes are all but shattered. On the other hand, the Kazakh tennis sensation only requires one more victory. However, her journey won’t be that easy moving forward.

Elena Rybakina’s WTA Finals may get hampered against Canadian teenage star

Elena Rybakina is set to face Canada’s rising tennis star Victoria Mboko. The latter has bothered the Kazakh WTA pro recently during their meetings across professional tournaments.

Their maiden clash took place back in July during the Citi Open in Washington, D.C. That time, Rybakina easily dominated Mboko in straight sets. With a scorelineof 6-3, 7-5 in the R16, she beat her.

In the next face-off, however, Mboko took her revenge. At the Canadian Open—which she won eventually—the 18-year-old bested Rybakina in a tense match. After the Kazakh star took the lead in the first set, Mboko made a remarkable comeback. She then went on to dominate Rybakina in the decider with a final scorelineof 1-6, 7-5, 7-6(4).

Considering she was the winner in their last meeting, Mboko may have a slight advantage against her. But Rybakina will have to put in all her efforts this time. After all, it is not going to be any ordinary match. One more win and she will be flying straight to Riyadh. But can she really make it happen against the Canadian talent? Only time will tell.