Aryna Sabalenka expects "a powerful game" when she meets Elena Rybakina and has warned the world No. 6 that she is determined to ger hands on theWTA Finals main glory.
On Friday, the Belarusian tennis star overpowered Amanda Anisimova 6-3 3-6 6-3 in the Riyadh semifinal. To no one's surprise, both players went all in and it resulted in some high-quality tennis between two big hitters.
Since Rybakina defeated Jessica Pegula earlier in the day, the Belarusian instantly knew who would be her title match rival.
Sabalenka and Rybakina have met numerous times on the biggest stage and there are no secrets between the two. The Belarusian leads their head-to-head 8-5 and has won two of their three clashes in 2025.
Its going to be another powerful game. I feel like today was great preparation for Elena. Im looking forward to leaving everything I have in the last match of the season and fighting for this beautiful trophy. Ill definitely go out there tomorrow and fight for every point," the world No. 1 said.
Sabalenka and Rybakina set for a rematch of the 2023 Australian Open
Of those previous 13 meetings, the one that came in the 2023 Australian Open final remains the biggest. Back then, Sabalenka overcame Rybakina in three sets 4-6 6-3 6-4 to lift her maiden Grand Slam title. Now, they are set to meet in the WTA Finals final.
And for the first time since Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova in 2012, two players that have clashed in a Grand Slam final are also meeting in the WTA Finals title match.
