Semi-final lineup set at 2025 WTA Finals Riyadh presented by PIF as perfect Aryna Sabalenka eliminates defending champion Coco Gauff

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 06 November 2025: The lineup for the semi-finals at the 2025 WTA Finals Riyadh presented by PIF has been confirmed after a thrilling last day of group play, as WTA World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka eliminated defending champion Coco Gauff.

It was still all to play for when the Stefanie Graf Group returned to the court at the King Saud University Indoor Arena, with three of the four players in contention to advance to the semi-finals.

 

Fifth seed Jessica Pegula gave herself the best possible chance by sealing a comfortable 6-2, 6-3 victory over eighth seed Jasmine Paolini. However, the American's progression still hinged on the outcome of the blockbuster showdown between top seed Sabalenka and third seed Gauff.

Various permutations were in play regarding which two of the three players would qualify, but for Gauff, anything less than a victory would mean elimination and the end of her title defence.

 

In a clash between two of the biggest superstars in tennis, it was Gauff who claimed the early lead, but it ultimately took a dramatic tiebreak to decide the first set, which Sabalenka sealed to put herself on the brink of the semi-finals.

 

The WTA World Number 1 continued her momentum to take control of the second set, closing out the victory 7-6 (7-5), 6-2 to finish the group stage with a perfect record. The win also earned Sabalenka a measure of revenge having lost her most recent match against Gauff in a French Open final classic in June.

Gauff's exit means a new name will be on the WTA Finals trophy for a 10th consecutive year, highlighting the remarkable competitiveness and strength in depth of the WTA Tour.

 

Sabalenka, 27, said: 'Super happy to get this win in straight sets. I'm staying hungry and staying aggressive in the game. Sometimes I need to throw emotions out just to be able to compete, and I think I'm balancing it pretty well.'

 

Sabalenka will face another American, fourth seed Amanda Anisimova, in the semi-finals on Friday. The pair have already contested three huge matches this year, headlined by their most recent clash in the US Open final, which Sabalenka won, although Anisimova leads their career head-to-head record 6-4.

Sabalenka added: 'We've had a lot of great matches, a lot of great battles, and I'm super happy to see her healthy, competing, playing her best tennis, and I'm really excited to be facing her.'

 

Gauff made history last year by winning the 2024 WTA Finals - the first ever professional women's tennis tournament to be staged in Saudi Arabia - and was the youngest winner for the past 20 years. Despite her title defence ending at the group stage, the American was typically gracious in defeat.

 

Gauff, 21, said: 'I had a lot of chances in the first set. It was a bit disappointing not to get that one. She stepped her level up and I just couldn't find it after that. Overall, I think I was playing a high level. Couple points in the tiebreaker I had on my racket. It was a tough one.'

 

The other singles semi-final on Friday will see Pegula take on sixth seed Elena Rybakina, who emerged from the Serena Williams Group as the unbeaten winner on Wednesday.

 

The 2025 WTA Finals is the second edition to be staged in Riyadh as part of a three-year partnership between the Saudi Tennis Federation (STF) and the WTA.

The prestigious season-ending tournament, featuring only the top eight women's singles players and top eight doubles teams, contributes to a wider strategy led by the STF to inspire more people to play tennis and get involved with the sport.

 

And progress is taking place throughout the Saudi tennis ecosystem, from grassroots through to the elite levels. Female participation has increased by 24% since the WTA Finals debuted 12 months ago, while programs like 'Tennis for All', in collaboration with 'Sports for All', introduced the sport to more than 53,000 children in 2025 alone.

 

On the elite side, Saudi Arabia now has 79 players who hold international rankings, and the women's national team have been competing in the Billie Jean King Cup since 2023.

 

As the 2025 WTA Finals Riyadh enter the crucial final days, and fans continue to fill the King Saud University Indoor Arena, tennis in Saudi Arabia has the platform to grow from strength to strength.

 

Results - Thursday 6 November, Day 6 of 2025 WTA Finals Riyadh presented by PIF:

Singles:

Jessica Pegula [Seeded 5] defeated Jasmine Paolini [8] 6-2 6-3

Aryna Sabalenka [1] def. Coco Gauff [3] 7-6 (7-5) 6-2

Doubles:

Timea Babos & Luisa Stefani [7] def. Gabriela Dabrowski & Erin Routliffe [3] 2-6 7-5 10-5

Katerina Siniakova & Taylor Townsend [2] def. Mirra Andreeva & Diana Shnaider [5] 6-2 6-4