Aryna Sabalenka rose to the occasion to defeat Coco Gauff and claim the top seed at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, setting up a semifinal clash with Amanda Anisimova. The other semifinal will feature Elena Rybakina against Jessica Pegula.
Sabalenka rallied from multiple deficits in the first set, showing her trademark power and composure to win 7-6(5), 6-2. Gauff started strong, breaking early and serving for the first set at 5-4, but Sabalenka broke back and dominated the tiebreak to seize control. The Belarusian converted five of six break points, while Gauff struggled with six double faults.
Sabalenka (3-0) will meet Anisimova (2-1) in Friday’s semifinals, while Pegula (2-1), who earlier beat Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 6-3, faces Rybakina (3-0).
Reflecting on her turnaround, Sabalenka said:
“I told myself I had nothing to lose and started going bigger on my serves. That helped me find my rhythm.
Despite Gauff’s early momentum and chances in the tiebreak, Sabalenka’s resilience proved decisive. The American admitted,
“I had a lot of chances in the first set. It’s disappointing not to take it, but she raised her level and I couldn’t match it.”
This marks Sabalenka’s fifth straight WTA Finals appearance, as she continues to chase her first year-end title her best finish so far being runner-up in 2022 to Caroline Garcia.
Semifinal Lineup in Riyadh
Aryna Sabalenka vs. Amanda Anisimova
Elena Rybakina vs. Jessica Pegula
Who do you think will make the final?
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