Amanda Anisimova is making her debut at the season-ending WTA Finals
Amanda Anisimova “embraced the fight” to overcome Iga Swiatek in a three-set thriller, joining the undefeated Elena Rybakina in the WTA Finals knockout stage.
In a decisive encounter, the Wimbledon and US Open finalist secured her spot in Friday’s semi-finals with a 6-7 (3-7), 6-4, 6-2 victory over the Polish world number two in Riyadh.
Earlier in the day, Rybakina completed a dominant run in the Serena Williams Group, defeating Ekaterina Alexandrova, a late replacement for theailing Madison Keys, 6-4, 6-4.
Rybakina, whose best Grand Slam result in 2025 was a fourth-round appearance, is currently enjoying a nine-match winning streak and has conceded only one set at the prestigious year-end event.
The top eight women’s singles and doubles players are competing in Saudi Arabia for a share of the £12m ($15.5m) prize money.
In the Stefanie Graf Group, world number one Aryna Sabalenka is set to face defending champion Coco Gauff, while Jessica Pegula will play against the already-eliminated Jasmine Paolini in Thursday’s final round-robin matches.
‘Beast mode’ Sabalenka beats Pegula at WTA Finals
Why ‘Battle of the Sexes’ exhibition is polarising opinion
Williams, 45, given wildcard for Auckland Classic
Wednesday’s match in Riyadh marked the conclusion of Swiatek and Anisimova’s 2025 trilogy, which began with Swiatek’s commanding 6-0, 6-0 victory in the Wimbledon final, followed by Anisimova’s revenge in the US Open quarter-finals.
In a tightly contested first set, Swiatek saved four break points as tournament debutant Anisimova’s frustration grew due to her inability to capitalize on her opportunities.
The angst continued as six-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek took control of the tie-break, clinching the set on her second set point, rewarding her resilience.
After requesting the umpire to remove a disruptive fan, Swiatek missed three break points early in the second set, chances that the 24-year-old would later regret.
The remainder of the set proceeded with serve until Anisimova earned her deserved break at the crucial moment, her consistent pressure forcing Swiatek into a backhand error on set point down.
Swiatek saved five break points early in the third set, but an untimely double fault on the sixth proved decisive as Anisimova fended off a break-back point before a forehand winner into the corner sealed a remarkable comeback.
“I knew it was going to be such a tough challenge, I told myself to just go for it,” fourth seed Anisimova, also 24, told Sky Sports.
“I try to enjoy the fight and I think I really embraced that today.”
This marks Elena Rybakina’s first progression to the WTA Finals knockout stage in three appearances.
Second alternate Alexandrova had been on standby all week, but her patience paid off on Wednesday when Keys – unable to progress – withdrew just hours before her scheduled match with Rybakina.
The 30-year-old, who has enjoyed a breakthrough year in 2025, received the opportunity after fellow Russian and first alternate Mirra Andreeva, also competing in doubles, declared she was not fit to play.
Alexandrova began impressively but squandered three break points before returning a forehand wide, handing Rybakina the first break and a 5-4 lead.
Rybakina, sporting tape on her serving shoulder, served out the first set to love before breaking early in the second, capitalizing on a backhand error from her opponent.
As Alexandrova’s serve faltered, Rybakina elevated her game and doubled her advantage with a powerful forehand winner on break point, only to immediately relinquish one of her breaks while serving for the match.
Her struggle to close out the match continued, as she was forced to save two break points in her next service game before finally securing victory on her second match point when Alexandrova sent a backhand long.
“Each win gives you confidence,” said Rybakina, 26. “Hopefully I can continue.”
In the doubles competition, 2022 champions Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens confirmed their semi-final spot with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Italian duo Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani.
They join Hsieh Su-Wei and Jelena Ostapenko in advancing from the Martina Navratilova Group.
Live scores, results and order of play
Get tennis news sent straight to your phone