RIYADH :World number one Aryna Sabalenka overcame Amanda Anisimova 6-3 3-6 6-3 in a gladiatorial battle between big-hitters on Friday to book a WTA Finals title showdown with Elena Rybakina, with both players eyeing their first Billie Jean King trophy.
Saturday's clash will pit the two unbeaten players from the tournament, with 2022 finalist Sabalenka holding the edge thanks to her 8-5 head-to-head record against Rybakina including a win when they met in the Australian Open final two years ago.
"It's going to be another powerful match," Sabalenka said as she looked ahead to her ninth final of the season.
"I feel like today was great preparation for Elena and I'm looking forward to leaving everything I have (on court) in the last match of the season and fight for this beautiful trophy."
After gruelling early exchanges with Anisimova, the rematch of September's U.S. Open final swung in favour of Sabalenka when she surged to a 5-3 lead and turned up the aggression from the baseline to take the opening set in an hour.
The New York champion, who saved five breakpoints earlier, found herself on the back foot in the second set when Anisimova reeled off the opening four games and it was a matter of time until the match went into a decider.
Sabalenka hit a flurry of aces to hold for 3-3 in the third set and grabbed the decisive break in the next game with a huge backhand winner, before surviving some nervy moments at the end to see off her American opponent.
"She's always pushing me to play my best tennis and honestly I wouldn't have cared if I lost this match," Sabalenka said.
"We played an incredible match and both deserved this place in the final. It was an incredible fight. I'm super happy to get the win. I told Amanda that she
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