It’s not just a semifinal. It’s a collision of voltage. When Aryna Sabalenka and Amanda Anisimova meet under the Riyadh floodlights on Friday night, expect enough baseline energy to make the Saudi capital glow. Two of the game’s cleanest hitters — one a reigning World No. 1, the other the only debutante in this elite field — will test who can control chaos better when the ball is coming at 120 mph and the stakes demand composure, not courage.
Sabalenka’s Fourth Shot at the Summit
For the fourth year running, Aryna Sabalenka finds herself back where she often belongs — the last weekend of the WTA Finals. But this time, the pressure dial reads differently. The Year-End No. 1 is already hers, a psychological weight that has in the past turned her shoulders rigid in November. She lost the 2022 final to Caroline Garcia, and the past two semifinals to eventual champions — Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff. The missing trophy, the one that would finally complete her résumé, now dangles within reach without the burden of ranking arithmetic.
She’s been ruthless in Riyadh, winning her round-robin group without dropping a set and averaging an eye-watering 73% first-serve points won.
“I’m trying to play free this week,” she said earlier. “When I stop thinking about what I have to do, I usually start doing it better.”
Anisimova, the Quiet Disruptor
On the other side stands Amanda Anisimova, who’s turned quiet resilience into a statement season. Her comeback win against Swiatek to reach the semifinals confirmed that her game — equal parts tempo and touch — now thrives on big occasions, not just on sunny practice courts. With a 49–16 season record, two titles, and the confidence of having beaten Sabalenka six times before, she’s no longer a promising American; she’s a legitimate force.
At 24, Anisimova has learned to blend weight and precision, often taking the ball earlier than anyone else on tour. Her variety against Sabalenka’s muscle creates a stylistic tension that rarely disappoints — and rarely ends quickly.
The Rivalry That’s Become a Barometer
The pair have met ten times already, their duels stretching across surfaces, continents, and storylines. If Sabalenka brings the fire, Anisimova brings the flint — and together they spark matches that tend to define where women’s tennis is headed next.
Head-to-Head Summary (All Competitions)
| Event | Round | Winner | Score | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Open | Final | Aryna Sabalenka | 6–3, 7–6 | 6 Sep 2025 |
| Wimbledon | Semifinal | Amanda Anisimova | 6–4, 4–6, 6–4 | 10 Jul 2025 |
| French Open | Round of 16 | Aryna Sabalenka | 7–5, 6–3 | 1 Jun 2025 |
| Toronto | QF | Amanda Anisimova | 6–4, 6–2 | 10 Aug 2024 |
| Australian Open | Round of 16 | Aryna Sabalenka | 6–3, 6–2 | 21 Jan 2024 |
Overall H2H: Anisimova leads 6–4
Their 2025 trilogy across the Slams felt like a miniature rivalry within the sport’s biggest stages: Sabalenka’s power prevailing in Paris and New York, Anisimova’s shot-making dismantling her on Wimbledon grass. Each time, the matches have tilted on serve percentages and nerve — specifically, who blinks first in the fifth or sixth break point of a set.
Prediction: Anisimova in Three — But Don’t Bet on Calm
If the surface speed in Riyadh continues to favor aggressive servers, Sabalenka holds the marginal edge. Her serve and return numbers in the Finals have been pristine, and the absence of ranking pressure might unlock the same clarity that won her the US Open two months ago. But Anisimova’s compact rhythm and superior backhand can easily turn a baseline exchange into a guessing game. Ask Iga.
Expect fireworks. Expect momentum shifts. Expect two players trying to outpunch each other without losing shape.
Prediction: Anisimova win
Whichever way it breaks, Riyadh’s night sky won’t need extra oil energy — Sabalenka and Anisimova will provide enough wattage on their own.
For all WTA Finals 2025 results, match times, and updated draws, visit our complete Results & Schedule hub