WTA Finals 2025: Aryna Sabalenka to face Elena Rybakina in Riyadh final
Anisimova came into the match having won six of their previous 10 meetings, but they have met in each of the last three Grand Slams and Sabalenka reduced those head-to-head wins from two to one.
While she won in straight sets in the fourth round of the French Open and the final of the US Open, Anisimova won in three sets in the Wimbledon semifinals.
Their semi-final in Riyadh promised a lot and it delivered.
The first two games took 18 minutes to complete. Anisimova saved three break points to hold on in the opener, then Sabalenka fought back from 0-40 down to do the same.
It was just over an hour into the match when Sabalenka finally won the first set.
Anisimova, who failed to win the opening set in all four matches in her first match at the WTA Finals, responded perfectly by taking a 4-0 lead and equalizing the match in the second match.
In a tight decider, Sabalenka’s backhand winner to end the seventh game resulted in an emphatic break of serve and a warm embrace between the two players at the net when Anisimova sent a forehand wide on match point.
“I told Amanda she should be proud of her season; she has played incredible tennis all season long and this is just the beginning,” Sabalenka said.
“I know you’re probably disappointed, but there’s a lot more that’s going to get in your way.”
