Aryna Sabalenka defeated Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in the semifinals to challenge Elena Rybakina for the WTA Finals title.
From the opening game, neither player gave up. Anisimova was able to match Sabalenka's speed and aggression, but the top seed rallied late in the match and closed out the deciding set after two hours and 21 minutes on court.
"Honestly, I don't care if I lose this match, because I think we played an incredible match and we both deserved our place in the final," Sabalenka said after the match, as broadcast by the WTA on Saturday.
"It was an amazing fight and I'm really happy to win."
The hard-fought match was evident from the start. The first set, which lasted exactly one hour, featured 94 points, culminating in Sabalenka winning with a break of serve.
