Tennis
2025-11-03 - Iga Swiatek vs Elena Rybakina
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
Tennis: WTA Finals Group Stage
Monday 3rd November 2025 - Scheduled 5pm
2pm (British Time)
Preview
Two wins is usually good enough to earn a spot in the Semi Final at the end of year Championships, but that is not always the case.
However, the winner of this Group match will move into a very strong position after both Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina came through opening matches in straight sets.
Winning this one in straight sets would put that player into a really strong spot and there is a chance that the Semi Final spot will have been secured before they play again on Wednesday. That will be dependent on the other match in the Group, but the focus for both Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina has to be on winning this match and not having to worry too much about other results.
Iga Swiatek goes into this match as favourite, although both players really did impress in the way they were able to win opening matches here in Riyadh.
However, you have to believe the Pole is going to be feeling confident with this match up considering how well she has competed with Elena Rybakina in 2025. All four matches played between the two have ended in wins for Iga Swiatek and three of those wins have been on the hard courts, which is perhaps something of a surprise considering how effective Rybakina can be on this surface.
Both will be keen to impose themselves with the serve, but in the recent matches against one another, it is Iga Swiatek who has been able to get a more out of her delivery. The way she has protected the second serve has been key and allowed the fine margins to lean in her favour and it may be something that is evident when Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina face each other on Monday.
If Elena Rybakina can bring the form she was producing in her opening win into this match then she will be very dangerous.
The problem will be if Iga Swiatek reaches the level she was operating at in the opening win and that would give the World Number 2 the edge to win and cover the handicap mark set.
In the four wins over Rybakina this season, Iga Swiatek would have covered this line three times and she can do the same in Riyadh to all but secure a spot in the WTA Finals last four.
Prediction
Lay the games with the World Number 2 as Iga Swiatek looks to make sure she reaches the last four of the WTA Finals this time around.
The Pick :
Iga Swiatek 2-1 Elena Rybakina
