World number one Aryna Sabalenka overcame fourth-seeded Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in a tense semi-final at the WTA Finals in Riyadh on Friday. The Belarusian, a four-time major winner, secured a place in the final against Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina, who earlier defeated fifth-seeded Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 at King Saud University Indoor Arena.
Sabalenka served 12 aces and saved six of nine break points to reach the final for the second time in five appearances at the season-ending championships. “She always pushes me to play my best tennis,” Sabalenka said, embracing Anisimova warmly at the net post-match. “Honestly, I wouldn’t have minded losing because we both played incredibly and deserved to be in the final. I’m super happy with
the win. I told Amanda she should be proud of her season; she’s played incredible tennis, and it’s just the beginning for her.”
Both Sabalenka and Rybakina are undefeated through four matches this week and have the chance to earn a record $5.235 million with a victory in Saturday’s final. Rybakina secured a tenth consecutive win by beating Pegula, reaching the championship match at the WTA Finals for the first time in three appearances. “When I arrived, I didn’t have many expectations. I’m very happy with my performance in Asia, though I was quite tired,” said Rybakina, who won the title in Ningbo and reached the semi-finals in Tokyo to secure the final qualifying spot for Riyadh. “So, for me, it was the last push, and let’s see what happens. I didn’t expect to go this far.”
Sabalenka and Anisimova, two of the biggest hitters on tour, faced each other for the fourth time this season (Roland Garros, Wimbledon, US Open, Riyadh). Sabalenka saved all five break points she faced and converted two of the eight she created to win a highly competitive opening set in 60 minutes. Anisimova responded strongly in the second set, breaking twice for a 4-0 lead. She punished Sabalenka’s second serve and capitalised on short balls but was broken while serving for the set, only to recover and take the match to a decider.
In game seven of the final set, Sabalenka made some remarkable shots to break Anisimova and gain a 4-3 advantage. Both players exchanged powerful shots, but Sabalenka found her best form when it mattered most, claiming her fifth victory in 11 meetings with Anisimova.
In the earlier semi-final, Rybakina fired 15 aces and won 73 percent of her first-serve points in a hard-fought match. The 26-year-old Rybakina aims to clinch her biggest title since the 2022 Wimbledon. She is just the third player representing an Asian nation—after Zheng Qinwen and Li Na – to reach the final of this event.
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