The two best players in Riyadh are set to square off for the WTA Finals title, bringing the season-ending event to a thrilling crescendo. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina both navigated three-set semifinal battles in Saudi Arabia on Friday to advance to the championship match. Rybakina punched her ticket to the year-end final for the first time, executing a comeback to defeat Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. The victory marked her 10th consecutive match win. Sabalenka soon joined her, securing a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 victory over Amanda Anisimova. Neither woman has tasted defeat at the tournament so far, as both posted undefeated 3-0 records in round-robin play. The stakes on Saturday could not be higher. Beyond fighting for their first year-end trophy, the finalists are vying for a record $5.235 million payout, a prize guaranteed to an undefeated champion. Sabalenka, who finished as runner-up to Caroline Garcia in 2022, is looking to rewrite history. She becomes only the third player in the last decade to reach the WTA Finals title match while ranked World No. 1, joining Angelique Kerber (2016) and Ashleigh Barty (2019). While Kerber lost her final, Barty emerged victorious. A win for Sabalenka would break that historical tie and settle the even head-to-head record she currently shares with Rybakina at this event. Sabalenka’s Semifinal Grit To reach the showpiece match, Sabalenka had to dig deep against Anisimova. The American surged back to force a deciding set and took a commanding 4-0 lead in the second, but Sabalenka found another gear in the third. She escaped a deuce game to hold for 3-3 and erased a break point in the eighth game after breaking serve herself, eventually winning the final four games of the match. “I remember the first point on 3-all there was a tough, physically tough point, and I thought, ‘OK, she’s out of her breath and I just need to keep pushing her, keep making her work for every point,'” Sabalenka said regarding the turning point. “I felt like, in that game, this mentality was the key. I was just trying to make her play an extra ball and it really worked.” She noted that the pivotal eighth game provided a surge of momentum. “I think that game gave me so much energy, so much power and confidence going to my serve.” Doha Open Wide for Swiatek and Rybakina While the focus remains on the finals in Riyadh, the WTA 1000 in Doha has kicked off with a distinct narrative shaped by Sabalenka’s absence. The tennis queen’s decision to skip the tournament in the Qatari capital has blown the draw wide open, creating a prime opportunity for the rest of the field. However, two names stand clearly above the rest: World No. 2 Iga Swiatek and No. 3 Elena Rybakina. Despite Rybakina’s incredible form following her title run in Australia, both women are considered heavy favorites and have already signaled their intent by navigating their opening matches without stumbling. Swiatek Steamrolls Opener Top-seeded Iga Swiatek opened her campaign with characteristic dominance, dismissing Indonesian wild card Janice Tjen 6-0, 6-3 to advance to the third round. In her first appearance since a quarterfinal exit at the Australian Open—where she fell to eventual champion Rybakina—the Polish star looked sharp. Swiatek was in cruise control early, surrendering only eight points in a seamless first set. She served well and limited her unforced errors, giving her opponent no room to breathe. The second set proved more competitive as Tjen, currently ranked 46th, raised her level. However, Swiatek secured the decisive break in the eighth game and held her advantage to close out the match in just over an hour. Looking ahead, Swiatek faces a Round of 16 clash with Daria Kasatkina, who defeated 16th seed Elise Mertens 6-4, 6-0. History favors the Pole heavily in this matchup; Swiatek leads their head-to-head 6-1 and has won their last six meetings without dropping a single set. Rybakina Hits Career Milestone Meanwhile, Rybakina, seeded second in Doha, returned to the court for the first time since lifting the trophy in Melbourne. It wasn’t entirely smooth sailing against China’s Wang Xinyu, but the outcome showcased why she is currently perhaps the most in-form player on tour. Trailing 4-2 in the second set, the World No. 3 rattled off the final four games to seal a 6-2, 6-4 victory in one hour and 20 minutes. The win was significant not just for her tournament hopes, but for her career resume, marking her 400th professional victory. With Sabalenka missing from the lineup this week, Rybakina’s resilience serves as a clear warning to the field that she intends to capitalize on the opportunity. Post navigation Perez Returns to Lead Cadillac Charge as Verstappen Eyes Future at Bathurst