RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — No. 1-ranked Aryna Sabalenka reached the title match on the WTA Finals for the primary time in three years after overcoming Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 within the semifinals on Friday.
Sabalenka will play first-time finalist Elena Rybakina on Saturday.
No. 6 Rybakina beat No. 5 Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 on the again of 15 aces.
Sabalenka was pushed to the brink by No. 4 Anisimova, who matched Sabalenka’s energy and aggression for greater than two hours in a rematch of the U.S. Open last.
Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion from Kazakhstan, has received all 4 of her matches this week, and clinched the win over Pegula on her first match level.
“It was not straightforward to return again however I am glad I managed to search out my approach within the second set and win it on this three-sets battle,” Rybakina stated. “The serve, once I wanted it, helped me.”
Pegula reached the ultimate in 2023.
