WTA Finals tennis: Sabalenka beats Anisimova to set up final with Rybakina - as it happened

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Tumaini Carayol's report

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Summary

Aryna Sabalenka overcame Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in a gladiatorial battle between big-hitters on Friday to book a WTA Finals title showdown with Elena Rybakina.

After gruelling early exchanges, the rematch of September’s US Open final swung in favour of Sabalenka as she surged to a 5-3 lead, then turned up the aggression from the baseline to take the opening set in an hour.

The world No 1 found herself on the back foot in the second set when Anisimova reeled off the opening four games, before holding off Sabalenka’s fightback to set up a decider.

Sabalenka hit a flurry of aces to hold for 3-3 in the third set and grabbed the decisive break in the next game with a huge backhand winner, before surviving some nervy moments at the end to see off her American opponent.

Rybakina earlier came from a set down to defeat Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, reaching the final with a perfect record. Pegula took the first set as Rybakina appeared to struggle with a shoulder issue. She hit back early in the second set, taking a 4-1 lead.

After setting up a decider, Rybakina moved ahead in the eighth game of the third set before wrapping up victory. The winner of Saturday’s final in Riyadh will claim their first WTA Finals title. Reuters

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Time to sign off – Tumaini’s full report will be online soon, and be sure to join Taha Hashim for Saturday’s final. Laters!

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“It means a lot to make the final,” says Elena Rybakina, who saw off Jessica Pegula earlier on. “I’m very proud with this week, and beating some top players. I’m happy with my serve, using it well this week; I’ve been able to stay healthy this year, and some good results at the end.”

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Aryna Sabalenka talks to Sky: “That was a fight, she played incredible tennis – incredible from both players, I felt in the second set like there was nothing to do. I told myself ‘come on, Aryna, just enjoy the fight.’ These matches make me a better player, they push me to the limit.”

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The final points tally: Sabalenka 106-103 Anisimova. The world No 1 advances to only her second WTA final showpiece; the player who beat her in the 2022 final, Caroline Garcia, has since retired.

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Here’s Sabalenka, although Sky seem to have missed half her interview. “It’s going to be another powerful game, I felt that today was great preparation,” she says of facing Rybakina. “I want to leave everything out there, in the last match of the season, and do all I can to win this beautiful trophy.”

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Anisimova leaves the court to a big reception; we’ll hear from Sabalenka shortly. If it makes her feel any better, I think that performance from the American would have beaten any other player on the tour tonight. Sabalenka, though, is built different.

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Aryna Sabalenka wins 6-3, 3-6, 6-3!

Anisimova goes for a winner down the line which lands an inch or so wide, and that’s that. Aryna Sabalenka has prevailed after a brilliant battle, a match fit for any grand slam final.

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Updated at 15.13 EST

Third set: Sabalenka 6-3, 3-6, *5-3 Anisimova (*denotes next server) Now the pressure shifts to Anisimova, serving to keep the match alive. She’s in trouble at 15-30 down, Sabalenka edging the rallies, and a return right on the baseline brings up two match points …

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Third set: Sabalenka 6-3, 3-6, 5-3* Anisimova (*denotes next server) This point is the match in microcosm, Anisimova slowly taking charge of the point, only for Sabalenka to produce an outrageous passing shot.

The American just won’t lie down, though, fighting back to deuce – and the pressure tells, Sabalenka double-faulting as she tries to avoid her opponent’s backhand. She switches to kicking wide serves, the first an ace, the second sending Anisimova to the floor. And another monster serve gets her over the line!

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Third set: Sabalenka 6-3, 3-6, 4-3* Anisimova (*denotes next server) Sabalenka still has to serve out two more games, no easy feat against a player whose returning has been exceptional. A punchy cross-court return on second serve brings up 30-all …

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Third set: Sabalenka 6-3, 3-6, *4-3 Anisimova (*denotes next server) The first is saved with a crunching ace but on second serve, Sabalenka steps in and with a flick of her wrists, sends a backhand winner down the line. A potentially decisive break!

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Updated at 14.57 EST

Third set: Sabalenka 6-3, 3-6, *3-3 Anisimova (*denotes next server) Anisimova wins another ridiculous rally, redirecting her forehand while on the slide and finding the baseline. Sabalenka hits back, opening up the court and putting away a winner down the line. It feels like the wall from the first set is back in front of Anisimova, and an overhit forehand presents Sabalenka with two break points …

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Updated at 14.55 EST

Third set: Sabalenka 6-3, 3-6, 3-3* Anisimova (*denotes next server) Who’s going to be the first to blink? In charge at 30-0 up, Sabalenka misjudges a cross-court volley. Anisimova is still picking up points on second serve, though – and at 40-30 up, Sabalenka nets a volley. Deuce, but Sabalenka switches back to beast mode, smashing down two aces to win the game.

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Third set: Sabalenka 6-3, 3-6, *2-3 Anisimova (*denotes next server) Approaching the two-hour mark and both players are working to keep the points shorter. Anisimova reads a wider return and lashes a backhand down the line, then puts away a moon ball from Sabalenka to hold again.

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Third set: Sabalenka 6-3, 3-6, 2-2* Anisimova (*denotes next server) Sabalenka needs to try and disrupt her opponent’s return rhythm, and gets away with one here as Anisimova fires a fizzing backhand just wide at 30-15 down. Sabalenka wraps up the game with another ace. This match is on a knife-edge now.

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Updated at 15.52 EST

Lorenzo Musetti is through to the final in Athens, saving a match point in a three-set win over Seb Korda. The Italian faces Novak Djokovic in the final; he will sneak into the ATP Finals if he can win, but will presumably be quite tired.

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Third set: Sabalenka 6-3, 3-6, *1-2 Anisimova (*denotes next server) Anisimova pushes a makeable volley into the tramlines at 30-all, but recovers with a huge serve down the middle. The next two rallies are shared, both players turning up the volume, and we’re back to deuce. Sabalenka can’t return a mighty first serve, and Anisimova drills down an ace to hold.

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Updated at 14.56 EST

Third set: Sabalenka 6-3, 3-6, 1-1* Anisimova (*denotes next server) The deciding set opens with two uncharacteristically quick holds – Anisimova dropping the first point then reeling off four points in a row, before Sabalenka crashes down first serves in a hold to love.

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Sabalenka heads off court for a quick break before the deciding set that this titanic battle deserves. Elena Rybakina, presumably watching in the hotel, will want this to go on for as long as possible.

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Amanda Anisimova wins the second set 6-3 to level

Second set: Sabalenka 6-3, 3-6* Anisimova (*denotes next server) The advantage for Anisimova is that she has consistently made inroads on Sabalenka’s serve, and is quickly able to charge 30-0 up. Sabalenka digs out a brilliant cross-court winner but is outhit on second serve, and Anisimova claims the set as her off-balance opponent sends a shot long!

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Updated at 14.30 EST

Second set: Sabalenka 6-3, *3-5 Anisimova (*denotes next server) After faltering on serve at the end of the first set, Amanda Anisimova will be very keen to get this done at the first time of asking. A loose forehand sends her 0-30 down, but she finds the line with a similar shot and then crashes down an ace.

Just as she seems to be back on track, a double fault hands Sabalenka a break point. The Belarusian pounces on a slower second serve, and Anisimova nets. One break back!

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Second set: Sabalenka 6-3, 2-5* Anisimova (*denotes next server) Sabalenka delivers an ace out wide that clips the line and has Anisimova looking twice. The American gets back to 30-40 –she’s managed at least that in every Sabalenka service game – but her next forehand clacks into the net cord.

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Second set: Sabalenka 6-3, *1-5 Anisimova (*denotes next server) As Emma Raducanu found at Wimbledon, Sabalenka can come back at you fast. Anisimova needs to focus on getting the job done in this second set and flies to 40-0 before a double fault. On second serve, she works the angles to send a forehand past Sabalenka’s racket. A hold with no real peril.

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Updated at 14.13 EST

Second set: Sabalenka 6-3, 1-4* Anisimova (*denotes next server) Aryna Sabalenka wins her first game of the set after a rare mishit return from Anisimova. Has she ever had to work so hard to get a single game on the board? It must have been a while.

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Second set: Sabalenka 6-3, 0-4* Anisimova (*denotes next server) Sabalenka double-faults and throws some choice words towards her coaching box. She gets a reprieve on the next point as a net cord intervenes, before Anisimova sends a fizzing forehand wide. A deep serve and follow-up volley earns game point, but Anisimova cracks another return winner (her fifth of the game). It’s deuce …

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Second set: Sabalenka 6-3, *0-4 Anisimova (*denotes next server) Anisimova slips to 0-30 – careful now – and a double fault offers Sabalenka a break point. Animisova is the more clean and clinical player right now, though, and she rescues the hold with another baseline clipper.

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Second set: Sabalenka 6-3, 0-3* Anisimova (*denotes next server) After her first serve of the game is pounded back past her, Sabalenka opts for a change of racket. It doesn’t help immediately, Anisimova pouncing on a slower serve to go 0-30 up. Nine points in a row for the American, a run ended as she loses her footing, but she recovers to earn another two break points. A couple of spin-heavy returns lead Sabalenka to go for the line across court – but she misses. Double break!

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Second set: Sabalenka 6-3, *0-2 Anisimova (*denotes next server) Anisimova recovers her first-serve accuracy and rattles off the first hold to love of the match. Terrific resilience, and this match looks very different to just 10 minutes ago.

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Second set: Sabalenka 6-3, 0-1* Anisimova (*denotes next server) Taking the set on Anisimova’s serve gives Sabalenka the advantage of serving first in the second set. She has to take it, though – and Anisimova shakes off that disappointment to earn a first break point. This time, she takes it as a stretching forehand somehow clips the baseline, throwing Sabalenka off. Game on!

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Aryna Sabalenka wins the first set 6-3

Anisimova won’t give up that easily, taking the next two points – but a second serve is returned with interest, and the American can’t keep the ball inside the baseline, swatting the floor in frustration. Sabalenka takes the first set, and will take some stopping from here.

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Updated at 13.57 EST

First set: Sabalenka *5-3 Anisimova (*denotes next server) “You need to change something” Anisimova mutters, with the cracks in the wall opposite her few and far between. If she is trying to shift her serve position, it doesn’t work – two double faults, then a second serve that Sabalenka gobbles up. Three set points …

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First set: Sabalenka 5-3* Anisimova (*denotes next server) New balls in play, the first set all but vapourised in the first seven games. Sabalenka could do with a quick hold but slips again at 30-0 up, sending her shot beyond the baseline.

A sigh of frustration from Sabalenka after her next miss, but she arrows away a winner almost dismissively. The next serve sets up a winner down the line, and she’s one game away from taking the set.

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First set: Sabalenka *4-3 Anisimova (*denotes next server) A big moment for Anisimova, on the brink of folding in a set where she’s played very well. The American flicks a volley off her heels, but Sabalenka chases it down and lashes it across court.

Break point, saved with a big serve out wide. Anisimova gets the better of the next rally, letting out a scream as she punches away the volley – and she holds with a controlled backhand winner down the line.

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First set: Sabalenka *4-2 Anisimova (*denotes next server) Without doing an awful lot wrong, Anisimova is now battling to stay in the set. At 40-15 down, Sabalenka manages to heave back two shots that looked unreturnable – and that cranking up of the pressure causes Anisimova to net a volley. It’s deuce again …

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First set: Sabalenka 4-2* Anisimova (*denotes next server) The standard in these early exchanges has been ridiculous, with winners outnumbering unforced errors. Anisimova has won enough points for an entire set, and yet she finds herself a break down.

Sabalenka isn’t keen on another drawn-out battle, firing down an ace to move 40-15 ahead, but Anisimova gets over a second serve to fire another winner. Another fierce return, aimed low but into mid-court, brings us back to deuce. Two racket-ripping aces follow.

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First set: Sabalenka *3-2 Anisimova (*denotes next server) Four games in, 30 minutes played and a big pile of break points saved – but we’re still on serve. Anisimova – who has dropped the first set in all three of her matches this week – lets a 40-15 lead slip to deuce.

Anisimova finds a ridiculous backhand winner to win a gruelling rally, but Sabalenka responds with a crashing backhand of her own. Anisimova then can’t quite steer a forehand inside the line, and Sabalenka grinds out the next rally to break!

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First set: Sabalenka 2-2* Anisimova (*denotes next server) Anisimova is frustrated after missing a chance at 15-all, but channels that energy to pound a backhand return down the line. Sabalenka then coughs up a double fault, but rescues break point with a ferocious ace, right in the far corner.

We go to deuce again, and a deep return ties Sabalenka up. Break point – the eighth for either player already – but it’s saved with an ace down the middle. Game point Sabalenka, lost with a double fault – and a big serve out wide isn’t coming back.

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Updated at 13.28 EST

First set: Sabalenka *1-2 Anisimova (*denotes next server) Anisimova changes up her serve, firing down the middle to earn two game points. Sabalenka’s next return is too strong but Anisimova holds to 30 when her opponent nets – a comparative cakewalk after those first two games.

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First set: Sabalenka 1-1* Anisimova (*denotes next server) Anisimova builds on the break, two excellent backhand winners putting her 0-30 up. She gets over a kicking Sabalenka serve to smack another winner away. Three break points …

Sabalenka is rescued by a net cord, and reprieved again as Anisimova nets a passing shot. At game point, Sabalenka slips – but she wins a net battle to earn another. Anisimova hits back with a ripper of a forehand, but can’t return the next serve. Sabalenka closes out another marathon game with an ace.

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First set: Sabalenka *0-1 Anisimova (*denotes next server) Sabalenka thinks she has the game won with a brutal cross-court forehand, but the electronic line call arrives a second late. Two hefty but precise first serves get Anisimova the hold after a 10-minute marathon.

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Updated at 13.07 EST

First set: Sabalenka *0-0 Anisimova (*denotes next server) If the first semi-final was a tense, tactical affair, this might be more of a slugfest. Both players are absolutely leathering the ball already, but there’s pressure on Anisimova at deuce.

The American just misses the outside of the line with a two-handed backhand, but rescues things with an ace. Another break point, and this time Anisimova finds the line cross-court with a high-risk backhand. This is the first game!

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Sabalenka v Anisimova is go

Here we go, then. Amanda Anisimova will serve first …

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Sabalenka and Anisimova are out on court warming up. This is a fascinating match-up between the world No 1 a rising star who was well outside the top 100 18 months ago but reached two grand slam finals this year – including the US Open, where she lost to Sabalenka.

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Updated at 15.53 EST

This is the second year Riyadh has hosted this tournament – it’s worth remembering the bigger picture as Saudi Arabia continues to hoover up sporting events.

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Another huge weekend of sport coming up – here’s how to follow it all with us.

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Here’s Elena Rybakina’s post-game thoughts: “It was such a tough match, not easy to come back but I’m glad I found my way. We had some really tough rallies, I’m really happy I managed to push myself a bit more and win it.”

Rybakina thanks the crowd, then heads off to prepare for tomorrow. That’s four wins from four this week, and the Kazakhstan player is into her first ever WTA Finals, er, final.

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Rybakina beats Pegula 4-6, 6-4, 6-3!

Third set: Pegula 6-4, 4-6, 3-6 Rybakina After that pivotal net-cord bounce, Pegula gets some revenge as one goes her way to open the game. On second serve, the American misses with her return, letting Rybakina off the hook – and she crashes an ace down the middle.

There seems no route back for Pegula this time, another big first serve proving unstoppable – and the match is sealed as a slice return spins just beyond the line!

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Third set: Pegula 6-4, 4-6, 3-5* Rybakina (*denotes next server) Huge credit to Pegula, who might feel like she has been hanging on since early in the second set. Here we are, back on serve in the decider. Rybakina gets a lucky net-cord bounce at 40-30 down, and grinds out the next point.

Deuce, and a potentially huge moment. It’s Rybakina who wins a bruising forehand exchange – Pegula throwing her racket to the ground in frustration – and a forehand hit off-balance slaps into the net! Rybakina will serve for the match …

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Third set: Pegula 6-4, 4-6, *3-4 Rybakina (*denotes next server) Pegula looked totally despondent after dropping serve, but digs out a backhand return and then reads Rybakina’s movement to send a winner down the line.

Another fierce return earns three break points, and while Rybakina goes down on one knee to steer a backhand into the corner, Pegula prevails in the next point as Rybakina’s forehand misfires.

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Third set: Pegula 6-4, 4-6, 2-4* Rybakina (*denotes next server) Is this Rybakina’s moment to pounce? Two drilled winners in succession put her in charge, and an error from Pegula hands over two break points. A first ace of the match from the American, but a weak second serve is punished by Rybakina, now suddenly two games from the final!

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Cam Norrie is through to the final in Metz, beating Lorenzo Sonego 4-6, 6-2, 6-4. He’ll play either Vitaliy Sachko or Learner Tien in the final of that ATP 250 event.

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Third set: Pegula 6-4, 4-6, *2-3 Rybakina (*denotes next server) Another double fault for Rybakina, but it goes unpunished as Pegula misses a gettable shot – and then can’t return a spinning serve out wide.

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Third set: Pegula 6-4, 4-6, 2-2* Rybakina (*denotes next server) Pegula holds to 15, her more passive approach paying off as Rybakina’s unforced errors resurface. It feels like this one is going the distance.

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Third set: Pegula 6-4, 4-6, *1-2 Rybakina (*denotes next server) Rybakina has to rescue a break point in a scrappy game, chasing down a looping return to put away the volley – but Pegula has another chance as her opponent sends a raking forehand long. A second break point is saved with some clean hitting, and an ace out wide helps her out of trouble.

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