Amanda Anisimova fought previous Iga Swiatek 6-7 (3-7) 6-4 6-2 in a winner-takes-all match on the WTA Finals on Wednesday to affix Elena Rybakina within the semi-finals.
In doing so, 24-year-old Anisimova stays within the hunt for a primary crown on her debut within the season-ending championship.
The stage was set for the highly-anticipated conflict between the pair after Swiatek routed Anisimova 6-0 6-0 to carry her maiden Wimbledon crown in July, earlier than the American gained revenge within the US Open quarter-finals in September.
Following a fierce begin to their newest assembly and 12 straight holds of serve, Poland’s Swiatek raised her degree to grab management of the primary set within the tiebreak, clinching it when Anisimova struck a forehand lengthy.
The competition of attrition continued within the second set, earlier than Anisimova ramped up the depth on her forehand and earned the primary break of the match within the tenth sport to drive a decider on the King Saud College Sports activities Area.
With confidence flowing, Anisimova carved out one other break to surge 3-1 forward within the third set and shift the strain onto world No 2 Swiatek, and the resilient 24-year-old stayed agency from there to finish her comeback victory.
For the second time since dropping the 2025 Wimbledon ultimate 6-0 6-0 to Swiatek, Anisimova has overwhelmed the Pole in a serious conflict
Rybakina defeats alternate Alexandrova to ebook semi-final spot
Rybakina earlier continued her dominant run with a 6-4 6-4 win over second alternate Ekaterina Alexandrova, after Madison Keys withdrew from their conflict with sickness and Mirra Andreeva was not match to play.
“It was tough, especially in the second set when I was up and I lost a bit of concentration,” mentioned Rybakina.
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Highlights of Elena Rybakina vs Ekaterina Alexandrova from the WTA Finals
“Ekaterina is always a tough opponent, she also has a big serve. In the beginning it was a bit difficult to return, so I’m pretty happy that I managed to win in two sets in the end.”
Rybakina arrived for the conflict after victories over Anisimova and Swiatek however the former Wimbledon champion got here below strain in opposition to a recent Alexandrova, earlier than breaking within the ninth sport after which claiming the opening set with a maintain.
The Kazakh, who staved off three breakpoints within the first set, cranked up her enormous serve and heavy hitting early within the second to go 3-1 up and utilized the squeeze to shut in on one other win within the Serena Williams group.
One other break courtesy of a robust return of serve left Rybakina one sport away and the 26-year-old finally wrapped up the victory regardless of some struggles on her personal supply late within the conflict.
World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka takes on Coco Gauff on Thursday with each gamers in rivalry for a semi-final place from the Steffi Graf group whereas Jessica Pegula can enhance her personal probabilities when she meets the eradicated Jasmine Paolini.
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