Sabalenka defeats Anisimova to advance to WTA Finals title match against Rybakina

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka defeated Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in the semifinals on Friday to advance to the title match at the WTA Year-End Finals for the first time in three years.

Sabalenka will face first-time finalist Elena Rybakina on Saturday.

No. 6 player Rybakina defeated No. 5 player Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 with 15 aces.

Sabalenka was pushed to the brink by fourth-ranked Anisimova, who matched Sabalenka’s power and aggression for more than two hours in a rematch of the US Open final.

Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion from Kazakhstan, won all four matches this week and defeated Pegula on the first match point.

“It wasn’t easy to come back, but I’m happy that I found my way in the second set and won the match in a three-set battle,” Rybakina said. “The serve helped me when I needed it.”

Pegula reached the finals in 2023.