Aryna Sabalenka and Amanda Anisimova traded power for more than two hours Friday night before the world No. 1 pulled through.
Sabalenka prevailed 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in a hard-hitting WTA Finals semifinal to reach her second career title match at the year-end championships.
From the opening game it was clear neither player would give an inch. Anisimova matched Sabalenka’s pace and aggression, but the top seed steadied late to close out the deciding set after 2 hours, 21 minutes on court.
Consider the numbers from just the first two games:
- 30 points played
- 18 minutes elapsed
- 14 combined unforced errors
- 9 deuce points
- 6 break points
Upwards of two hours later, she had managed to overcome the depleting start, and the many additional hurdles the American placed in her path, granting her the chance to face off against Elena Rybakina — who defeated Jessica Pegula in a three-set battle of her own earlier in the day — for the right to hoist the WTA Finals trophy for the first time.
More to come…
