In a thrilling display at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula secured their spots in the semi-finals, with both players producing impressive victories in the decisive round-robin matches. Sabalenka, the World No. 1, brought an end to Coco Gauff’s title defense, while Pegula showcased her form against Jasmine Paolini.
Pegula, the fifth seed, was first on court and took control against Paolini, prevailing with a straight-sets scoreline of 6-2, 6-3. The match unfolded at King Saud University Indoor Arena, where it quickly became evident that the American was determined to cement her place in the last four. Paolini struggled with illness throughout the week, and Pegula capitalized on her opponent’s vulnerabilities. The American’s serve was particularly effective, allowing her to dominate the match and complete it within just 63 minutes.
After the match, Pegula expressed satisfaction with her performance, stating, “I finally got a straight-sets win for the first time in a few months. It always feels really good, but I thought I served really well and played solid today.” This victory marked Pegula’s first straight-sets triumph in quite some time, bringing an end to a series of matches that had seen her play eight consecutive three-setters.
Later in the evening, Sabalenka faced Gauff, who needed a straight-sets victory to advance. Sabalenka, however, rose to the occasion, overcoming an early deficit to win 7-6(5), 6-2. The match was tense, especially in the first set where Sabalenka had to fend off multiple break points. Ultimately, she managed to turn the tide in a tightly contested tiebreak that set the stage for her success in the second set.
Reflecting on her performance, Sabalenka said, “I was thinking, ‘OK, there is nothing to lose.’ I was going big on my serves, and it really helped me find my rhythm.” This mindset proved pivotal as she secured a vital win to finish her group stage with a perfect record of three wins.
With Pegula and Sabalenka confirmed in the semi-finals, the tournament is now guaranteed an intriguing match-up in the knockout rounds. Pegula will face sixth-seeded Elena Rybakina, while Sabalenka prepares for a rematch against fourth seed Amanda Anisimova.
Rybakina has enjoyed a strong tournament, emerging unbeaten from her group by capitalizing on her powerful serve and pinpoint accuracy. She notably dominated her matches, winning over 80% of her first-serve points, which places her in an advantageous position heading into her semi-final clash.
Anisimova, on the other hand, impressed with a stunning upset over the second-ranked Iga Swiatek to secure her semi-final place. This contrast in experience and form between Anisimova, a newcomer to the finals, and Sabalenka, who is seeking her first title in this particular tournament, adds an exciting element to their impending showdown.
As the tournament progresses, the absence of both Gauff and Swiatek assures that a new champion will be crowned this year. The semi-finals promise to deliver high-stakes action as players vie for a coveted spot in the final, where the title will be on the line in Riyadh. Both Sabalenka and Pegula are stepping into the semi-finals with the momentum of their latest matches, setting the stage for what could be memorable confrontations in the quest for the WTA Finals trophy.
