Match of the Day: Simona Halep vs. Elena Rybakina, Dubai final

Exactly one year ago, Elena Rybakina was ranked No. 192 in the world. Next week, win or lose, the Russian-born Kazakh will be firmly planted inside the Top 20. Barring injury, Rybakina will remain there for a very long time.

Other than perhaps Sofia Kenin, no one has enjoyed a better start to the season. Already into her fourth final of 2020, Rybakina owns a 19-3 record, including wins this week over Kenin and Karolina Pliskova. The early favorite for WTA Newcomer of the Year appears well-equipped to handle the big stage.

Her opponent in Saturday’s championship match, Simona Halep, has been the game’s most consistent player in recent memory. According to a tweet from WTA Insider, since making her Top 10 debut on January 27th, 2014, the Romanian has been ranked inside the Top 10 for 317 consecutive weeks—the 10th longest streak in WTA history. After fighting back from a set down against both Ons Jabeur (where she saved a match point) and Aryna Sabalenka, Halep destroyed the in-form Jennifer Brady, 6-2, 6-0, in just over an hour.

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Halep withdrew when down, 5-4, in the first set in her only prior meeting with Rybakina last September in Wuhan. Though the match wasn’t completed, Halep should benefit from seeing firsthand the brutal strength and firepower of her 20-year-old opponent.

Few players hit their forehand as big, or with a much shape as Rybakina, who will look to use that weapon to yank Halep off the court. Rybakina owns the advantage on serve, while Halep has a far superior edge in the movement and experience department, as she so often does. This match is a toss-up, but in the end, expect the 2015 champion to outlast Rybakina in a thrilling final.