RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Aryna Sabalenka earned her return to the WTA Finals championship match for the first time in three years after grinding through a tight semifinal against Amanda Anisimova on Friday, November 7. The world No. 1 overcame the No. 4-seeded American 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in a physical battle that tested her power and composure for more than two hours.

Sabalenka’s win sends her into Saturday’s championship clash against Elena Rybakina, who will be appearing in her first WTA Finals title match. The showdown pits two of the most dominant power hitters in women’s tennis against each other after both impressed throughout the week in Riyadh.

Rybakina rallies past Pegula to reach first Finals championship match

No. 6 Rybakina powered through a three-set comeback to defeat No. 5 Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, unleashing 15 aces and sealing victory on her first match point. The 2022 Wimbledon champion from Kazakhstan has won all four of her matches this week, continuing her strong form in pressure moments.

Rybakina acknowledged the difficulty of her semifinal battle and credited her serve for carrying her in key points as she earned a spot in the season-ending final.

“It was not easy to come back but I’m glad I managed to find my way in the second set and win it in this three-sets battle,” Rybakina said. “The serve, when I needed it, helped me.”

Sabalenka survives Anisimova test in U.S. Open rematch

Sabalenka was pushed deep by Anisimova in a rematch of their U.S. Open final, with the American matching her power early and forcing the world No. 1 to find another gear in the deciding set. The victory returns Sabalenka to the WTA Finals title match for the first time since 2021 as she looks to close her season with silverware.

Pegula, who reached the final at the WTA Finals in 2023, could not repeat her deep run as Rybakina stayed composed down the stretch to secure the semifinal win.