Sabalenka knocks out Gauff on way to reaching semis at WTA Finals
skysports - 11/6/2025 9:41:09 PM - GMT (+2 )

Aryna Sabalenka beat Coco Gauff in straight sets to book her place in the last four at the WTA Finals and eliminate the reigning champion from the season-ending tournament.

After Jessica Pegula had beaten Jasmine Paolini in Thursday's opening match, French Open champion Gauff needed a straight-set victory herself to eliminate US Open champion Sabalenka in Riyadh.

However, it was the world No 1 who triumphed 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 to maintain a perfect 3-0 record that sets up a semi-final meeting with Amanda Anisimova on Friday.

Gauff was twice a break up in the first set but failed to serve out the opener having gone 30-0 up at 5-4, before Sabalenka came from 4-2 down in the tiebreaker to end her opponent's hopes advancing.

A deflated Gauff lost the first four games of the second set before Sabalenka snuffed out a late fightback to stay unbeaten as she seeks to win the tournament for the first time.

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"I probably wouldn't put myself in that situation (again)," Sabalenka said about having been two points away from losing the first set.

"I was just trying to stay aggressive and trying to find my rhythm. I was working for the second set already, but magically I was able to turn things around.

"I'm super happy with the performance and super happy to get this win in straight sets."

Pegula sets up Rybakina clash

Pegula had earlier ensured at least one American would advance from the Stefanie Graf Group by claiming a dominant 6-2 6-3 victory over Paolini.

Pegula took just 63 minutes to see off the Italian, who had already been eliminated after losing her matches against Sabalenka and Gauff in straight sets.

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Highlights of the WTA Finals match between Jessica Pegula and Jasmine Paolini.

The victory was Pegula's first in straight sets since she beat Ajla Tomljanovic in the second round in Beijing in late September

"I finally got a straight sets win for the first time in a few months," Pegula said.

"That always feels really good, but I thought I served really well and just played solid today. I was aggressive when I needed to be. There wasn't much negative today."

Pegula faces Elena Rybakina in Friday's first semi-final, with the Kazakh player having won all three of her matches in the Serena Williams Group.

Watch the ATP and WTA Tour Finals, live on Sky Sports or stream with NOW and the Sky Sports app, giving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost. Find out more here.



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