World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus has stormed into the WTA Finals title match for the first time in three years, edging out fourth-ranked Amanda Anisimova of the USA 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in a gripping semifinal on Friday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Sabalenka’s power was on full display as she claimed the opening set 6-3, only to be dragged into a second-set dogfight by Anisimova, who broke serve three times and fought back 6-3. The decider swung on a pivotal break at 4-3 that propelled Sabalenka into a high-octane final.
“Honestly, I wouldn't care if I would've lost this match because I think we played an incredible match, and both of us deserve this place in the finals,” Sabalenka admitted. “That was an incredible fight and I'm super happy to get the win.”
Waiting in the final is first-time finalist Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, who battled past the USA’s Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. Rybakina unleashed 15 aces and clinched the semifinal on her first match point after overturning a one-set deficit.
“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.”
The stage is set for a blockbuster final, pitting two Grand Slam champions with contrasting styles: Sabalenka’s sheer power versus Rybakina’s precision serving. Tennis fans around the globe are tuning in for what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the year’s season finale.
Reference(s):
Sabalenka tops Anisimova, lines up Rybakina for WTA Finals title match
cgtn.com
