In a thrilling semifinal duel, Aryna Sabalenka showcased her tenacity as she fought past Amanda Anisimova with a scoreline of 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 to secure her place in the finals of the WTA Finals in Riyadh. With a blend of skill and determination, Sabalenka weathered Anisimova’s aggressive style, particularly her powerful groundstrokes, to earn her spot in this prestigious title match.
Following the match, the world number one expressed her mindset on the court, stating, “I’m focusing on my game and I’m just trying to pull out everything I have on each point. At some point in this match, I was just telling myself: Come on Aryna, just enjoy this fight. Try to do your best.” This victory marks Sabalenka’s 40th career final, advancing her to her second WTA Finals title match, after previously losing to Caroline Garcia in 2022.
On the other side of the draw, sixth-seeded Elena Rybakina made history as the first Kazakh player to reach the WTA Finals final, overcoming Jessica Pegula with a hard-fought score of 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. Rybakina’s impressive serve and powerful returns were key components in overcoming the American, setting the stage for a highly anticipated clash against Sabalenka.
Fans are poised for an exciting showdown, which will be the first time this tournament has seen two new finalists in consecutive years. Both athletes remain undefeated throughout this week’s competition, and the stakes are high. The winner will not only claim the coveted championship title but also an eye-popping prize of $5.2 million.
As the final approaches, Sabalenka emphasized her preparedness, saying, “This is the last match of the season, one more opportunity to hold this beautiful trophy. I’m ready to bring everything I have left in this season for this last match. And I’m really hoping for the best.”
The final promises to be a sensational finale, showcasing two of the sport’s leading players eager to capture a significant milestone in their careers. The action is set to unfold at 11 a.m. Eastern Time, with the eyes of the tennis world focused on Riyadh.
