The chaos at the WTA Finals continued on Day 5 as Aryna Sabalenka left the court in frustration, amid heavy intermittent rainfall during her match against Elena Rybakina. The stakes were high, with the winner securing a spot in the semifinals and the loser facing elimination. Sabalenka had dominated the opening set 6-1, putting her in a strong position.
Rybakina, leading 5-3 in the second set, was about to serve when another rain shower disrupted play at 11:30 PM local time. Spectators were growing restless, and there had already been several rain delays totaling approximately two hours, with the longest pause lasting 1 hour and 10 minutes in the early stages of the second set.
Aryna Sabalenka is enjoying the rain 😂
Gotta give it to the ball kid who is refusing to let go of this umbrella pic.twitter.com/wT2bpMC8NC
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 3, 2023
In a scene captured by The Tennis Letter, a frustrated Sabalenka was seen wrapped in towels, while a ball boy struggled to shield her from the rain with an umbrella. One spectator in the audience expressed his frustration with holding a sign that read, “No more rain!!!”
Saby was like: I’m done with dis shit 😂
— Pina Colada Addict (@PinaColadaAdd) November 3, 2023
Fans shared their reactions to the sight of Sabalenka, with one remarking, “Saby was like I’m done with this sh*t.” Another questioned the logic of staying outdoors in the pouring rain and stated, “Doesn’t make sense, why are sitting outside in this rain…,” while a different fan sensed Sabalenka’s growing frustration with the tournament.
The final decision was to suspend the match until the following afternoon on Day 6, with the players leaving the court after more than three hours of uncertainty. The ongoing weather disruptions have added another layer of drama in Cancun, which already has had its share of controversies.
Day 6 unveils thrilling singles matches at the WTA Finals
The action-packed Friday schedule at the WTA Finals is set to deliver an exciting display of tennis on Day 6 of the WTA Finals. With six of the top 10 women players taking the stage, the stakes are high as the season-ending championship progresses. Among the matches to look forward to is the highly-anticipated conclusion of the Aryna Sabalenka vs. Elena Rybakina clash.
The suspended match currently stands at 6-1, 3-5 in favor of Sabalenka, adding extra suspense to the resumption. Elena Rybakina is poised to serve and even the match at a set apiece, taking it to a decider. The winner of the match will advance to the semifinals. Jessica Pegula has already qualified for the semifinals from this Group winning all her 3 matches.
Final round-robin stage matches from the second Group follow suit, where all four players are technically in contention for the remaining two semifinal slots. Iga Swiatek is scheduled to face Ons Jabeur, while Coco Gauff will take on Marketa Vondrousova. These battles promise to keep fans on the edge of their seats.
Day 6️⃣ up ahead!#WTAFinals pic.twitter.com/fkoFJBAe8z
— WTA Finals (@WTAFinals) November 3, 2023
Coco Gauff has a 2-0 head-to-head record against Marketa, including a dominant 6-3, 6-0 victory this summer in Canada. In the other match, Swiatek is on an impressive eight-match hardcourt winning streak, while Jabeur’s recent injury concerns cast a shadow on her top form, however, she had a confidence-boosting win over Vondrousova in her previous match.
The WTA Finals continue to showcase the skill of these remarkable top women athletes, offering thrilling moments and memorable showdowns. Tennis enthusiasts around the world are in for a treat on the 6th day of the season-ending championships.