Sabalenka was looking for her first success at the season-ending WTA Finals, having reached the knockout stages in each of the last four years and losing to Rybakina in last year’s final. But this was another occasion where Sabalenka, unlike Svitolina, seemed unable to maintain a positive outlook in testing moments. before Sabalenka’s game again threatened to unravel as she conceded the first set, losing six of seven games, including twice with a break at love. The response was excellent, a reduction in unforced errors helping her to a double break and a 5-1 lead before serving out the set on the second try. However, the inconsistency returned and, with it, the frustration. After losing an early lead in the decider, Sabalenka threw her racquet to the ground as Svitolina stood strong to quickly turn the set around. Sabalenka saved two break points but set up Svitolina for a third with a double fault, and the world number six stayed calm to claim victory.
