Sabalenka survives Anisimova to set up blockbuster final with Rybakina at WTA Finals

In a match that zig‑zagged like lightning across the desert sky, World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka finally found her way past Amanda Anisimova 6‑3, 3‑6, 6‑3 and punched her ticket into Saturday’s title clash at the year‑end WTA Finals in Riyadh.

She will face Elena Rybakina in what promises to be a titanic showdown for a maiden crown.

From the opening game it was clear nothing would come easily. Anisimova refused to be overawed. She pushed Sabalenka deep, answered her power with grit and demanded every centimetre of her opponent’s focus.

Sabalenka took the first set by finding rhythm early, but the American roared back in set two when she raced to a 4‑0 lead and handed Sabalenka her first slip of the week.

Yet the Belarusian regrouped, dug in, and in the final set found the quality and nerve to strike. A backhand return winner sealed the decisive break, and Sabalenka held her serve to clinch after 2 hours 21 minutes.

“She is always pushing me to play my best tennis … it was an incredible fight and I’m super happy to get the win,” Sabalenka said after the match.

What made the moment all the more compelling is the broader stakes.

Both Sabalenka and Rybakina arrive in the final having gone undefeated through the round‑robin phase (3‑0 each), meaning the winner in Saturday’s final will not only capture their first year‑end trophy but also claim the record payout on offer for an unbeaten champion.

Rybakina advanced earlier on the same evening, coming from a set down to beat Jessica Pegula 4‑6, 6‑4, 6‑3, handing herself her 10th consecutive win.

Sabalenka, meanwhile, became only the third World No. 1 in the last decade to reach the WTA Finals final (after Angelique Kerber in 2016 and Ashleigh Barty in 2019).

Now, the head‑to‑head looms large. Sabalenka holds an 8‑5 advantage overall, but at this tournament the ledger is square. In short, there is no comfort zone here; only final‑hour fight.

Looking ahead to the final, Sabalenka said: “Today was great preparation for [facing] Elena … I’m looking forward to leaving everything I have in the last match of the season and fighting for this beautiful trophy.”

For Anisimova, a player making her WTA Finals debut and punching above expectations, the defeat still feels like a breakthrough. Sabalenka graciously acknowledged it: “I told Amanda that she should be proud of her season — she’s played incredible tennis for the whole season and it’s just the beginning.”