World number one Aryna Sabalenka has booked a WTA Finals title showdown with Elena Rybakina, with both players eyeing off their first season-ending championship win.
Sabalenka advanced to the tournament decider in Riyadh by defeating Wimbledon and US Open runner-up Amanda Anisimova, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.
Rybakina came from a set down to beat Jessica Pegula, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, reaching the final with an undefeated record at the King Saud University Sports Arena.
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“It’s going to be another powerful match,” Sabalenka said as she looked ahead to her ninth final of the season.
“I feel like today was great preparation for Elena and I’m looking forward to leaving everything I have [on court] in the last match of the season and fight for this beautiful trophy.”
After gruelling early exchanges with Anisimova, the rematch of September’s US Open final swung in favour of Sabalenka when she surged to a 5-3 lead in the first set.
She turned up the aggression from the baseline to take the opening set in an hour.
Sabalenka found herself on the back foot in the second set when Anisimova reeled off the opening four games and it was a matter of time until the match went into a decider.
A flurry of aces saw Sabalenka hold for 3-3 in the third set and she grabbed the decisive break in the next game with a huge backhand winner.
Sabalenka survived some nervous moments at the end, before seeing off her American opponent.
In the earlier semifinal, Pegula secured the opening set thanks to Rybakina’s 25th unforced error.
But there was a sudden shift in momentum in the next set as Pegula found herself 1-4 behind and in danger of being dragged the distance.
Pegula recovered her rhythm and pushed hard in her bid to draw level in the set, but Rybakina responded strongly in the 10th game to force a decider.
They swapped breaks again in a tight battle, before a forehand into the net from Pegula at the end of the eighth game handed the advantage back to Rybakina.
Rybakina held in the next game to sealed the victory.
“It was such a tough battle … I’m glad I managed to find my way in the second and win it in a three-set battle,” Rybakina said.
“My serve helped me when I needed it. I was trying to stay focused on each point when we had some tough rallies.
“In the end I managed to push myself a bit more.”
Reuters