World number one Aryna Sabalenka and Jelena Rybakina have reached the final of the WTA Finals in Riyadh.
Sabalenka defeated Amanda Anisimova (USA) 6:3, 3:6, 6:3 at the $15.5 million event in Saudi Arabia, while Kazakh Rybakina also needed three sets in a 4:6, 6:4, 6:3 against American Jessica Pegula.
Both finalists had already won all three games in the group phase. Sabalenka (Belarus) had to fight against Anisimova for more than two hours, only a break to 4:3 in the third set brought the preliminary decision.
The US Open winner is in the final of the year-end tournament for the second time; in 2022 she lost to the French Caroline Garcia.
15 aces from Rybakina
Meanwhile, Rybakina made it to the final for the first time. “I’m happy that I fought through it. My serve helped me,” said the 26-year-old.
In the second set, the world number six fended off two game balls from Pegula when the score was 5:4, and in the third round she was particularly impressive with her own service: In the end, her 15 aces were only matched by a single one from Pegula.