Sports
Sabalenka Advances to WTA Finals Semifinals, Defeats Gauff
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka secured her place in the semifinals of the WTA Finals on Thursday, defeating defending champion Coco Gauff 7-6(5), 6-2. The victory not only marked Sabalenka’s third consecutive win in the group stage but also eliminated Gauff from the tournament.
Sabalenka’s win ensures she finishes on top of the Steffi Graf Group, advancing alongside American Jessica Pegula, who defeated Jasmine Paolini earlier in the day. Pegula’s win came in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3, also guaranteeing her a spot in the semifinals.
Gauff, who had entered the match needing a victory to stay in contention, had a strong start. She broke Sabalenka’s serve early and led 4-2 at one point. However, Sabalenka regained momentum, breaking Gauff while trailing 4-5, allowing her to dominate the tiebreaker and subsequently the second set.
“I was just trying to stay aggressive and find my rhythm,” Sabalenka said after the match. “I’m super happy with the performance and happy to get this win in straight sets.”
In the semifinals, Sabalenka will face Amanda Anisimova in a rematch of their recent U.S. Open final, which Sabalenka won. Pegula will go up against Elena Rybakina, who qualified from the Serena Williams Group.
Despite Gauff’s early breaks and a solid serving percentage, she struggled to maintain consistency in critical moments. “I had a lot of chances in the first set. It was disappointing not to get that,” Gauff remarked. “Overall, I think I was playing at a high level.”
Sabalenka’s victory marks her strong performance throughout this year’s WTA Finals, and she reflects on her ongoing rivalry with Gauff. “She always makes me work hard, always great battles against her,” Sabalenka added. “I enjoy playing against her, and I hope it’s going to be a great match.”
With Gauff’s exit, fans will witness a fresh champion at the WTA Finals this year. The semi-finals are set to take place on Friday, November 7, at the King Saud University Indoor Arena.
