In a display of sheer grit and power, World Number One Aryna Sabalenka has stormed into the championship match of the WTA Finals 2025 in Riyadh. The Belarusian powerhouse secured her spot after a hard-fought victory over America's Amanda Anisimova in a thrilling semifinal encounter on November 7.
The intense battle, which lasted two hours and twenty-three minutes, saw Sabalenka eventually triumph with a scoreline of 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. With this win, she sets up a blockbuster final against Elena Rybakina on November 8.
Nail-Biting Semifinal: A Rollercoaster of Emotions
The match was a true test of resilience for both athletes. After splitting the first two sets, the tension reached its peak in the decisive third set. The pivotal moment arrived with Sabalenka leading 4-3. She unleashed a deep, powerful return that forced errors from Anisimova, allowing her to grab the crucial break of serve.
The drama was far from over. While serving for the match at 5-3, Sabalenka faced a break point that threatened to extend the contest. Unfazed, she saved it with a combination of a powerful first serve and a commanding forehand, holding her nerve to close out the monumental win. A key tactical shift to wider serves in the latter stages effectively disrupted Anisimova's rhythm.
Anisimova had her moments of brilliance, particularly in the second set where she built a double-break lead with aggressive returns and precise backhands. However, Sabalenka's superior resilience on both her serve and return proved to be the deciding factor as the marathon match progressed.
By the Numbers: Decoding the Match Statistics
The statistics from the match paint a picture of a closely contested battle where composure made the difference.
- Aces: Sabalenka fired 12 aces compared to Anisimova's 7.
- First Serve: Sabalenka won a dominant 70% (44/63) of her first-serve points, outperforming Anisimova's 63% (43/68).
- Return Game: Sabalenka was particularly effective on return, claiming 57% of points (23/40) on Anisimova's second serve.
- Winners & Errors: The winner count was nearly identical (30 to 31 in Anisimova's favour), but the story was in the unforced errors. Sabalenka committed 28, while Anisimova was let down by 48.
- Total Points: The match was incredibly tight, with Sabalenka edging the total points count 106 to 103.
The intensity was evident from the very start, with the first two games alone consuming 18 minutes and 30 points, featuring nine deuces and six break points.
The Road to the Final: Sabalenka's Dominant Run
Aryna Sabalenka's journey to the final has been nothing short of spectacular. She powered through the group stage undefeated, notching commanding victories over Jasmine Paolini (6-3, 6-1), Jessica Pegula (6-4, 2-6, 6-3), and Coco Gauff (7-6, 6-2). This hard-fought semifinal win adds another layer to her flawless campaign in Riyadh.
Championship Preview: Sabalenka vs Rybakina
The stage is now set for a titanic clash for the prestigious WTA Finals crown. Sabalenka will face the big-serving Elena Rybakina, who earned her place in the final by defeating Jessica Pegula in a three-set battle, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, powered by 15 aces.
This final is a renewal of a fierce rivalry. The two players have met 13 times on the tour before, with Sabalenka holding a narrow 8-5 lead in their head-to-head record.
This final appearance also marks a significant milestone for the World Number One. Sabalenka joins an elite group, becoming only the fourth player since 2000 to reach nine or more WTA finals in a single year while holding the top ranking. She stands alongside legends Martina Hingis (2000), Justine Henin (2007), and Serena Williams (2013). Among active players, only Venus Williams, with three, has made more appearances in the WTA Finals title match than Sabalenka's two (2022 and now 2025).
