The thrilling showdown between two Babarinas in the finals has materialized, with netizens commenting that the Wuhan champion has become the most disappointed at the year-end finals.

The two semifinals of the Riyadh year-end finals have ended, and as many anticipated before the event, Rybakina and Sabalenka ultimately fulfilled expectations by clashing in the final, making the "Babarina championship" prediction come true.

Reviewing these two key battles between Rybakina and Sabalenka, their journey to the final was not only difficult but nearly collapsed, causing quite a shock to everyone.

In the match where Rybakina faced American heiress Pegula, from the strong start of the first set, it seemed Pegula was quite upset about being underestimated and appeared determined to use her 3-1 head-to-head advantage to prove the odds wrong.

After stabilizing first in the break battle of the opening set, Pegula capitalized on Rybakina’s unstable form, seizing the opportunity and ultimately winning the first set 6-4 with the only break, putting all the pressure squarely on Rybakina.

Seeing Rybakina’s usually precise and fierce form from the group stage falter significantly, supporters of the Kazakh beauty in the live chat grew worried she might end up as just a stepping stone for Pegula, with some even predicting the "Babarina final might fall through."

Pushed to the edge with no way back, Rybakina showed a fearless attitude in the crucial second set, playing with great boldness. This fearless spirit helped her deliver stunning winners during rallies, and her previously erratic serve gradually returned to its usual level.

This clear change at a pivotal moment was a lifeline for Rybakina amid the crisis. With renewed confidence, the Kazakh star fought back to take the second set 6-4, leveling the match once again.

After leveling the score, Rybakina’s momentum in the deciding set completely overshadowed Pegula. Taking control at 4-2, her supporters finally breathed a sigh of relief.

In the end, facing Pegula’s stubborn resistance, Rybakina gave no chance for a comeback and sealed the match 6-3, crushing Pegula’s hopes of stopping her from reaching the final.

After Rybakina secured her place in the final, before the Sabalenka vs. Anisimova match began, many believed the Belarusian’s hard-court prowess would make her path to the final easier than Rybakina’s, but it turned out to be just as nerve-wracking.

When Sabalenka combined her raw power and movement perfectly to take the first set 6-3, many fans and viewers joked that the world number one would handle Anisimova easily. However, just as those words echoed, the match took a dramatic turn from the second set onwards.

Sabalenka seemed cursed, suddenly slipping into a shaky performance and falling behind 0-4 early in the second set. Meanwhile, Anisimova continued to execute her aggressive strategy and returned the favor by winning the set 6-3. Fans commented that Sabalenka looked bewildered by Anisimova’s onslaught.

Sabalenka transformed from a dominant queen in the first set to a gentle figure in the second, showing a stark contrast that created huge uncertainty about whether she could meet Rybakina in the final.

Just when someone in the live chat claimed that the Wuhan champion might truly shine at the year-end finals as a pattern rather than coincidence, Sabalenka snapped out of her slump at a critical moment, breaking and holding serve to lead 5-3 and take command of the match.

It was expected that the final intense phase would come with Anisimova’s resistance, but surprisingly, when the American needed to withstand pressure and prove herself the most, she collapsed. Sabalenka broke Anisimova’s serve in the ninth game and closed out the match 6-3 to advance to the final.

Sabalenka’s joy upon entering the year-end finals was matched by Anisimova’s disappointment in many people’s eyes.

Some fans and netizens bluntly stated that the 2023 Wuhan champion Swiatek and the 2024 champion Gauff both lifted the trophy at the year-end finals, but the 2025 Wuhan champion Anisimova faltered, making her the most disappointed Wuhan champion at the year-end finals, which is quite a blow.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Moonlit River Starry Sky)