The winner of the Australian Open suffered two defeats in the Saudi capital this week against global number 2 Iga Swiatek and Amanda Anisimova and could no longer qualify for the semi-finals.
Keys (30) did not want to shake her opponent’s hand on Monday because she was not feeling well and did not want to pass on the virus.
Aleksandrova was the second reserve in Riyadh. The first reserve, the Russian Mirra Andrejeva, who still competed in the doubles during the WTA Finals, decided that she was not fit enough to play on Wednesday.
Will she put the crown on a top year? Aryna Sabalenka is chasing the WTA Finals title and 4.5 million euros in Riyadh
During the end-of-year tournament, the best eight tennis players of the season compete against each other. The singles final is Saturday.
Rybakina undefeated to semi-finals at WTA Finals
Rybakina has qualified undefeated for the semi-finals of the WTA Finals. The Kazakh number 6 in the world won her third and final group match in straight sets against Russia’s Ekaterina Aleksandrova: 6-4 6-4.
Aleksandrova held on to 4-4 in the first set, but lost her own serve after which the Kazakh took the set. In the second set, Rybakina broke her Russian opponent twice and won the match after 1 hour and 14 minutes of play.
During the WTA Finals, the best eight tennis players of the season compete against each other. The final in the Saudi capital is Saturday.