Aryna Sabalenka, for the second time in the last act of the WTA Finals! Intense confrontation in the replay of the US Open final

The second semifinal at the WTA Finals marked the replay of this year's US Open final. Aryna Sabalenka, the winner of the Stefanie Graf group, dueled Amanda Anisimova, the 2nd place of the Serena Williams group.

Aryna Sabalenka, triumphant, after 3 sets that ended with an identical score

The match started with 2 very long games which gave a very clear picture of what was to come. The balance was maintained for 4 games, Sabalenka being the first to break the rhythm, managing a break.

The 27-year-old continued to control the opening set and won it 6-3. Anisimova showed a different face in the second sequence and won the first 4 games, leaving her opponent without a reply.

Sabalenka came back from 1-5 to 3-5 and came close to winning another game, but the American kept her composure and equalized in sets: 6-3. In the deciding sequence, Anisimova continued to take chances, use varied shots and try to catch the US Open champion.

But as the match progressed, fatigue began to tell and the world leader showed her worth. Finally, after 2 hours and 23 minutes, Aryna Sabalenka prevailed 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

“It was a battle and she played incredible tennis. I have to say I thought we both played incredible. In the second set at one point I was thinking there is nothing I can do because she is playing incredible. Then I told myself to enjoy the fight and the moment, because I worked for it. I told myself that I had to pull myself together for the last time this season. I think that mentality really helped me in the 3rd set“said Sabalenka, in an interview with Sky Sports.

After the final played in 2022, when she was defeated by Caroline Garcia, the Belarusian managed to qualify again in the last act of the WTA Finals. This time, Sabalenka will meet Elena Rybakina (26 years old, 6 WTA), who passed the American Jessica Pegula (31 years old, 5 WTA) 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Aryna Sabalenka's path to the 2025 Tournament of Champions

Group:

• 6-3, 6-1 vs. Jasmine Paolini (Italy, 29 years old, 8 WTA)

• 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 vs. Jessica Pegula (United States of America, 31 years old, 5 WTA)

• 7-6 (5), 6-2 vs. Coco Gauff (United States of America, 21 years old, 3 WTA)

Semi-final:

• 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 vs. Amanda Anisimova (United States of America, 24 years old, 4 WTA)

Amanda Anisimova's journey to the 2025 Tournament of Champions

Group:

• 3-6, 1-6 vs. Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan, 26 years old, 6 WTA)

• 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 vs. Madison Keys (United States of America, 30 years old, 7 WTA)

• 6-7 (3), 6-4, 6-2 vs. Iga Swiatek (Poland, 24 years old, 2 WTA)

Semi-final:

• 3-6, 6-3, 3-6 vs. Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus, 27 years old, 1 WTA)

Amanda Anisimova, eliminated in the semifinals of the Tournament of Champions/Photo: Getty Images