In a thrilling display of tennis prowess, Aryna Sabalenka’s unyielding spirit kept her undefeated streak alive, edging her closer to the WTA Finals semifinals after a grueling three-set battle against Jessica Pegula. But here’s where it gets controversial: while Sabalenka’s victory was hard-fought, it also highlighted the razor-thin margin between dominance and vulnerability in her game—a point that could spark debates among fans. Is Sabalenka’s aggressive style sustainable against top contenders, or does it leave her exposed in critical moments?
On Thursday at the King Saud University Indoor Arena, Sabalenka walked the tightrope between control and raw power, ultimately prevailing 6–4, 2–6, 6–3 in a match that lasted just over two hours. This win not only kept her unbeaten in Riyadh but also solidified her position as the frontrunner in the Stefanie Graf Group with a 2-0 record. Yet, the victory wasn’t without its drama. Pegula, known for her tenacity, pushed Sabalenka to the brink, breaking her serve early in the final set and threatening another comeback. And this is the part most people miss: despite Sabalenka’s impressive 9-3 head-to-head record against Pegula, their recent matches have become increasingly competitive, with each of their last three encounters going the full distance.
‘She always pushes me to the limit,’ Sabalenka admitted post-match. ‘In the second set, I felt like she stepped up and played incredible tennis. In the third, I told myself, ‘I’m going to go after my shots, stay aggressive, and put the pressure back on her.’ And yes, she pushed me again—but I love it. Playing against her is never easy. It’s always great tennis, great points, and I’m thrilled with the win.’**
While Sabalenka’s victory doesn’t guarantee a semifinal spot, it places her firmly in the driver’s seat. Jasmine Paolini has been eliminated, leaving Sabalenka, Pegula, and Coco Gauff—Sabalenka’s next opponent—still in contention. Speaking of Gauff, she kept her hopes alive by defeating Paolini in straight sets earlier in the day. Meanwhile, in other matches, Siniakova and Townsend avenged their 2024 final loss, maintaining their perfect record in Riyadh.
Let’s break down the key moments: After fending off an early break point, Sabalenka struck first, converting her fourth opportunity with a forehand winner to take a 4-2 lead. She extended her advantage to 5-2 before Pegula rallied, saving a set point and breaking back to narrow the gap to 5-4. Sabalenka, however, remained relentless, clinching the opener on her fifth set point after 45 minutes.
The second set saw Pegula take control, breaking Sabalenka’s serve twice to build a 5-2 lead. Sabalenka had a chance to clinch the group with a win in this set but squandered two break points in the final game, allowing Pegula to force a decider with three forehand winners.
In the third set, Pegula broke early for a 2-1 lead, positioning herself for another comeback. But Sabalenka, as she often does, found an extra gear. Her first serve returned with authority, her errors transformed into winners, and her signature roar echoed through the arena. She won four straight games to lead 5-2 and sealed the match with a final forehand winner, collapsing to her knees in relief and triumph.
This win marked Sabalenka’s 61st of the season and her 13th against a top-10 opponent—the most since Iga Swiatek’s 15 in 2022. Next up, she faces Gauff with a chance to even their head-to-head record (currently 6-5 in Gauff’s favor). A win would secure Sabalenka first place in the group and a semifinal berth, while a loss would leave her fate slightly uncertain.
But here’s the question for you: Can Sabalenka maintain her aggressive style against Gauff, or will it backfire against an opponent who thrives on consistency? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
