WTA Final 2025: A decisive break in the third set and a dominant serve sees Sabalenka through
After splitting the first two sets, Sabalenka found her moment 4–3 in the decision maker. A deep return game set Anisimova back and made the mistakes she had largely avoided, giving the world No. 1 a crucial break.
Serving under pressure in the next game, Sabalenka fended off a break point with a bold first serve and plus-one forehand, consolidated for 5–3and then slammed the door shut in the final game with another break of service to complete the victory.
The pattern echoed for much of the night: Anisimova’s aggressive returning and line-hugging backhand gave her a double-break lead in the second set, but as the match tightened, Sabalenka’s serve and first shot patterns were telling – especially her move to wider venues at key moments.
Judging by the numbers, Sabalenka’s serve held up just enough under fire: 12 aces to 7, 4 double faults to 5And 70 percent number of points won for the first time (44/63) versus Anisimova’s 63 percent (43/68). Both were vulnerable on the second serve: Sabalenka up 37 percent (14/38) to Anisimova 43 percent (17/40), but the top seed was able to regain value and win upon return 57 percent number of points on Anisimova’s second delivery (23/40).
The total number of points underlined how fine the margins were: 106–103 to Sabalenka, with logged winners/unforced errors 30/28 for the number 1 in the world and 31/48 for her American opponent. For context on the intensity of the match, the just the first two games lasted 18 minutes And 30 pointsof nine twos And six break points.
Sabalenka now heads into a heavyweight final against previously defeated Rybakina Jessica Pegula 4–6, 6–4, 6–3 behind 15 aces – a sign that the first stroke and the pressure on the scoreboard could be crucial in determining the title.
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