When Aryna Sabalenka walked onto the court to face the defending champion, Coco Gauff, at the WTA Finals, there was a quiet tension in the air. A reminder of their last meeting at the French Open, where Gauff had turned the tables and left Sabalenka searching for answers. However, on this night, the Belarusian came armed with lessons learned, fire rekindled, and a milestone waiting in the wings.

After losing the match by 7-6(5), 2-6, 4-6, a visibly upset Sabalenka shared a post on IG saying, “Tough loss today, but proud of how I competed in Roland Garros this year. Hungrier than ever…” Guess what? The ‘Tigress’ looked hungrier than ever in Riyadh! Coco Gauff was twice a break up in the first set but failed to serve out the opener, having gone 30-0 up at 5-4, before the Belarusian struck back from 4-2 down in the tiebreaker to end her opponent’s hope of advancing.

The match ended at 7-6(5), 6-2 in favor of Aryna Sabalenka. This was her 62nd win of this season, and with this, she has now taken her H2H record to 6-6 against Gauff. When she was asked to share her thoughts about the moment when she was just two points away from losing the first set, Sabalenka said, “I probably wouldn't put myself in that situation (again). I was just trying to stay aggressive and trying to find my rhythm. I was working for the second set already, but magically I was able to turn things around. I'm super happy with the performance and super happy to get this win in straight sets.”

In straight sets, Sabalenka sealed her revenge and, with it, carved her name alongside one of tennis’s greats. The victory not only avenged her French Open heartbreak but also marked a piece of history—becoming the first woman since Maria Sharapova (2004-2007) to reach four consecutive WTA Finals.

For Sabalenka, the feat was more than a stat—it was a testament to her evolution. From being known for her raw aggression and emotional volatility, she has matured into a composed warrior capable of adjusting mid-battle.

Since her debut on Tour in 2017, Aryna Sabalenka (54) is now the player with the most Top-10 wins. As the WTA Finals journey continues, Sabalenka now stands just a few wins away from the crown she has long desired. 

Do you know that only Martina Navratilova (8), Gabriela Sabatini (6), and Steffi Graf (5) have made more consecutive semi-finals at the WTA Finals than Sabalenka (4) since the event’s inception in 1972? Next up for her is America’s Amanda Anisimova. What did she say about facing this promising American in her next match?

Aryna Sabalenka showers praise on Amanda Anisimova before the epic battle in Riyadh

As the lights brighten over the hard courts in Riyadh, Aryna Sabalenka finds herself on the cusp of another career-defining moment. But instead of fierce words, the Belarusian ace chose something different ahead of her semifinal showdown—admiration. Her target of praise? The resurgent American star, Amanda Anisimova.

Currently ranked fourth in the world, Anisimova has been one of the most consistent players this season. Other than reaching two finals in the major tournaments this year, she also won two titles this season.

When Sabalenka accomplished her Roland Garros revenge, she was asked to reflect a bit on her next hurdle. So, while commenting about her next match, she said, “I want to go out there in the semis and fight for every point.” Then, while sharing her thoughts about the 24-year-old American, Aryna Sabalenka said, “She is an incredible player. We always have great battles. We have a great history. I am so happy to see her back and fighting and playing her best tennis. It’s always enjoyable playing against her because you know it’s going to be a great fight.”

Serena Williams was the last one to win the WTA Finals in consecutive years. Now with Coco Gauff’s exit, it’ll be interesting to see if Sabalenka can beat Anisimova in the next match and move a step closer to winning her first WTA Finals title.

The winner of this competition will receive a staggering $5.235 million. Does this add an extra bit of motivation before her matches? Speaking on this, Sabalenka said, “No, I never think about these things when I'm playing matches. I just have a lot of love for this sport, and I enjoy competing. This prize, of course, is a great bonus to have, but my main priority is just to bring the best tennis, make sure people enjoy watching tennis... And that's it.”

Her opponent, Amanda Anisimova, is full of confidence, and let me tell you, she has already taken down Iga Swiatek and Madison Keys on her way to the semis. After reaching the SF, Anisimova admitted, “I feel like I belong at this point.” Talking about some of her astonishing feats this season, she further added, “If you would have told me a year ago I would be sitting right here, it would be a little hard to believe. I think I’ve surprised myself along the way, for sure. I’ve definitely hit some goals that I dreamt of early in the year and didn’t think that maybe I would be able to achieve them by the end.” Can she keep her dream run intact in 2025?

Or are we going to see her WTA Finals title-winning hope coming to an end at the hands of the world number one? Surprisingly, Anisimova has a 6-4 lead in their H2H record. So fasten your seatbelts for a blockbuster showdown!

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallySports. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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Edited by

Shrabana Sengupta