Follow us on Google Discover Amanda Anisimova and Elena Rybakina are two of the hottest players on the WTA circuit at the moment.
Both players have booked spots in the semifinal of the WTA Finals, with Anisimova beating Iga Swiatek from a set down to progress on Wednesday.
Anisimova is making her debut in the event, whilst Rybakina has a semifinal to look forward to in Riyadh for the very first time.
Anisimova’s win yesterday helped Rybakina make history, and it will be fascinating to see if the players get one final match this year in the final.
Anisimova has done something this year that only Coco Gauff can match, and she really is a player on an upward trajectory in 2025.
With both players progressing at the WTA Finals, talk has now turned among tennis experts as to which player is the better of the two.
Photo by Clicks Images/Getty ImagesNick Kyrgios’ ex-coach picks better player out of Rybakina and Anisimova
Simon Rea is a former coach of Kyrgios and he’s recently sat down on the Australian Open podcast to discuss the women’s game.
He was part of the panel on the latest episode of the podcast with Rea and current WTA player Daria Saville, discussing who they think is the best player right now.
Saville said: “On the results, you would say Anisimova, but I feel like Rybakina’s form has been pretty top-notch in the last few weeks.”
Rea tended to agree and concurred with Saville, saying: “I think it’s a great point. I think Rybakina is starting to find her best tennis, and her best tennis when she finds it is as good as there is in my opinion.”
Elena Rybakina’s record in 2025Australian Open – R4French Open – R4Wimbledon – R3US Open – R4Qatar Open – QFDubai Championships – SFIndian Wells – R4Miami Open – R2Madrid Open – R3Italian Open – R3Canadian Open – SFCincinnati Open – SFChina Open – R3Wuhan Open – QFAmanda Anisimova’s record in 2025Australian Open – R2French Open – R4Wimbledon – FUS Open – FQatar Open – WDubai Championships – R1 Indian Wells – R2Miami Open – R4Madrid Open – R2Italian Open – R2Canadian Open – R4 Cincinnati Open – R3 China Open – WWuhan Open – DNPAnisimova might have the edge over Rybakina in Riyadh
Although Rybakina does have the win over Anisimova at the tournament already, she has suggested she’s feeling tired after a long Asian swing.
Anisimova shouldn’t have that issue, and the stumbling block for her will be that she will likely face Aryna Sabalenka, having finished second in her group in the semifinal.
In terms of who is most fancied to go through and win in Riyadh, Anisimova probably has the aces, with Rybakina going to need some serious rest and recuperation to get through two more matches.
The pair do feel well matched at the moment, however, and it will be hoped that more meetings between the two can take place in 2026, with both players now in the top eight of the WTA rankings.