Amanda Anisimova secured her spot in the WTA Finals semi-finals by defeating world number two Iga Swiatek in a tough three-set battle in Riyadh.
Anisimova, making her tournament debut, won the critical group-stage match 6-7 (3-7) 6-4 6-2 against the six-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek.
The American said she “embraced the fight” during the intense match that concluded their 2025 trilogy.
Joining Anisimova in the knockout stage is Elena Rybakina, who swept the Serena Williams Group with a perfect record.
Rybakina, who is now on a nine-match winning streak, defeated late replacement Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-4 6-4. Rybakina has only dropped one set so far in the season-ending event.
The WTA Finals, featuring the world’s top eight players, has a total prize fund of £12 million.
Thursday’s matches will determine the remaining semi-finalists from the Stefanie Graf Group:
- World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka vs. defending champion Coco Gauff
- Jessica Pegula vs. Jasmine Paolini (already eliminated)
