🚀 Explore this trending post from BBC Sport 📖
📂 Category:
💡 Here’s what you’ll learn:
Anisimova entered the match having won six of their last 10 meetings, although they had met in each of the past three Grand Slams and Sabalenka had two head-to-head wins to one.
She prevailed in straight sets in the fourth round of the French Open and the final of the US Open, while Anisimova prevailed in three sets in the semi-finals of Wimbledon.
The semi-final in Riyadh promised a lot, and it came true.
The first two games took 18 minutes to complete. Anisimova saved three break points to maintain her lead in the first set, then Sabalenka fought back from 0-40 down to do the same.
The match hour had just passed and Sabalenka had won the first set.
Anisimova, who failed to win the first set in all four of her matches during her debut at the Finals, responded in style, taking a 4-0 lead in the second set and leveling the match.
In a close playoff, Sabalenka won a backhand winner in the seventh game to break serve, and there was a warm embrace between the two players at the net when Anisimova sent a forehand wide on match point.
“I told Amanda she should be proud of her season,” Sabalenka said. “She played great tennis all season and this is just the beginning.”
“I know she’s probably disappointed but there are so many other things coming her way.”
⚡ Tell us your thoughts in comments!
#️⃣ #WTA #Finals #Aryna #Sabalenka #faces #Elena #Rybakina #Riyadh #final
