Berlin, 7 November 2025 (dpa/MIA) - Aryna Sabalenka reckoned her recovery in a shaky first set against Coco Gauff on Thursday gave her the confidence to beat the American holder and make the WTA Finals semis.

The Belarusian progressed 7-6 (7-5), 6-2 and will meet Amanda Anisimova on Friday. Jessica Pegula meets Elena Rybakina after downing Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 6-3 in the end-of-season top-eight shootout.

Gauff broke Sabalenka early in Riyadh but suddenly the top seed found her groove and hit back.

“I was already working for the second set, to be honest,” Sabalenka said. “Something clicked and I was able to break and that game gave me a lot of confidence that I still got it in this set. And yeah, super happy to get this win.”

She then went for it in the tie-break.

“I was thinking, `OK, there is nothing to lose,’ she said. “And I was going big on my serves. It really helped me to find my rhythm.”

Photo: EPA