Sabalenka tops Anisimova, lines up Rybakina for WTA Finals title match

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus reached the title match at the WTA (Women's Tennis Association) Finals for the first time in three years, after overcoming fourth-ranked Amanda Anisimova of the USA 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in the semifinals on Friday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Sabalenka will face first-time finalist Elena Rybakina for the title on Saturday. Kazakhstan's World No. 6 battled past the USA's fifth-ranked Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 on the strength of 15 aces.

Four-time Grand Slam champion Sabalenka was pushed to the brink by Anisimova, who matched the Belarusian's power and aggression for more than two hours in a rematch of September's U.S. Open final.

The first set lasted an hour, with Anisimova missing five break chances and racking up 24 unforced errors.

The American brought down those numbers in the second set, breaking her opponent three times to force a decider.

That's where Sabalenka converted a pivotal break to take a 4-3 lead.

"Honestly, I wouldn't care if I would've lost this match because I think we played an incredible match. and both of us deserve this place in the finals," Sabalenka said. "That was an incredible fight and I'm super happy to get the win."

Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, has won all four of her matches this week, clinching the semifinal victory against Pegula on her first match point.

"It was not easy to come back, but I'm glad I managed to find my way in the second set, and win it in this three-sets battle," Rybakina said. "The serve, when I needed it, helped me."

Meanwhile, at the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Hellenic Championship in Athens, Greece, Novak Djokovic cruised past qualifier Yannick Hanfmann 6-3, 6-4 in the semifinals.

Germany's World No. 117 caused a bit of trouble for Serbia's 24-time Grand Slam winner in the second set, breaking Djokovic for the first time this week to lead 3-1.

But the 38-year-old legend regained control of the match from the fifth game, slamming the door on Hanfmann shortly afterward to end a four-match losing streak in tournament semifinals.

The former World No. 1 will meet Italy's ninth-ranked Lorenzo Musetti in his 144th Tour-level final, and third of the season, as he seeks his 101st career title.

(With input from The Associated Press)