Aryna Sabalenka closed group play in commanding fashion, defeating defending champion Coco Gauff 7-6 (5), 6-2 on Thursday to complete a perfect sweep in the Steffi Graf group at the 2025 WTA Finals. The top seed from Belarus advances to the semifinals as group winner after overturning recent form against the American star.

The contest featured a tense opening set, with both players trading momentum in a tight battle. Gauff came out firing with an early break and regained the lead midway through, but Sabalenka refused to yield. Down 4-5, she broke back to extend the set and later surged through the tiebreak by winning four straight points. That late push proved decisive, shifting full control to the world No. 1.

Sabalenka turns the tide after tight opening set

With the first set secured, Sabalenka elevated further while Gauff’s rhythm slipped. The Belarusian stormed to a 4-0 advantage in the second set and maintained her grip until the finish, sealing a third straight group victory and leveling her head-to-head with Gauff at 6-6.

Sabalenka said she felt the match settle late in the first set, noting that confidence returned as her momentum surged. Her aggressive shot-making and cleaner execution in key moments proved the difference as she avenged her loss to Gauff in this year’s French Open final.

Pegula advances, semifinals set for Friday

In the other group match, Jessica Pegula handled Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 6-3, securing second place and a semifinal berth. With the round-robin complete, Pegula now prepares for Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina, winner of the Serena Williams group, while Sabalenka faces American Amanda Anisimova in a high-powered matchup.

Both semifinals will take place Friday, with finalists set to emerge from a field that has delivered high-quality tennis all week.