A Battle of Power and Precision in Riyadh
It was a night filled with raw energy, passion, and high-class tennis in Riyadh as World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka edged past Amanda Anisimova in a thrilling three-set semifinal of the WTA Finals 2025. The Belarusian champion triumphed 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 to book her spot in the final, where she will face Elena Rybakina for the season-ending crown.
The match had everything — booming serves, long rallies, emotional fist pumps, and moments of brilliance from both players. Sabalenka started strong, using her aggressive groundstrokes and deep returns to dominate the opening set.
Anisimova Fights Back with Flair
But the American Amanda Anisimova wasn’t ready to give up easily. In the second set, she found her rhythm, mixing up her pace and attacking Sabalenka’s second serve. Her clean ball-striking and tactical play helped her take the set 6-3, forcing a decider and bringing the crowd to life.
The turning point came in the final set, where Sabalenka raised her level once again. Her heavy forehand and sharp serves broke Anisimova’s resistance at 4-3, and from there she held her nerve to serve out the match.
Match Summary
| Stat | Aryna Sabalenka | Amanda Anisimova |
|---|---|---|
| Aces | 12 | 7 |
| Double Faults | 4 | 5 |
| Winners | 32 | 27 |
| Break Points Won | 3/6 | 2/5 |
| Total Points Won | 97 | 90 |
Post-Match Reactions
A relieved and emotional Sabalenka said after the match:
“Amanda played incredible tennis today. I had to dig really deep to stay in control. I’m proud of how I fought back in the final set and kept believing.”
Anisimova, on her part, praised her opponent:
“Aryna is such a tough player. I gave it everything I had, and matches like these make you stronger.”
What’s Next
With this win, Sabalenka moves into the WTA Finals 2025 title match, where she will face Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina — a player known for her calm and composed power game. Tennis fans around the world are eagerly waiting for this blockbuster final between two of the sport’s most dominant hitters.
Quick Takeaways
- Sabalenka’s aggressive baseline play was key to her win.
- Anisimova displayed her best tennis of the season despite the loss.
- The Riyadh crowd witnessed one of the most thrilling semifinals of the tournament.
- Sabalenka now stands one win away from her first WTA Finals title.