Elena Rybakina has powered her way into the WTA Finals title clash after a thrilling victory over Jessica Pegula. In a hard-fought match, Rybakina overcame a first-set deficit to secure a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 win. The Kazakh player will now face either Aryna Sabalenka or Amanda Anisimova for the coveted season-ending crown.
Rybakina's Resilience Shines
Rybakina displayed remarkable resilience, battling back from an early setback to dominate the second and third sets. "It was such a tough battle. It's always difficult to play against Jessica and she started pretty well," Rybakina said. "It was very quick, she broke me and it wasn't easy to come back. I'm glad I managed to find my way in the second and win it in a three-set battle." Her powerful serve, which included 15 aces, proved to be a crucial weapon in her arsenal.
Anisimova vs. Sabalenka: A US Open Rematch
The other semi-final pits World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka against American Amanda Anisimova. This match is a highly anticipated rematch of their US Open final in September, where Sabalenka emerged victorious in straight sets to claim her fourth Grand Slam title. Anisimova will be looking for revenge and a chance to compete for her first WTA Finals title. The pressure is on as Anisimova serves to stay in the match, facing match point after match point against a dominant Sabalenka.
Doubles Action Heats Up
The doubles semi-finals also promise exciting action. Hsieh Su-wei and Jelena Ostapenko, who dominated their group, will face Timea Babos and Luisa Stefani. Meanwhile, Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend will battle Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens. The winners will advance to Saturday’s finals.
What to Expect
Tennis fans can expect high-intensity matches, strategic gameplay, and plenty of drama as the WTA Finals reach their climax in Riyadh. Will Rybakina continue her dominant run? Can Anisimova avenge her US Open loss? And who will emerge victorious in the doubles competition? Stay tuned to find out!