The WTA Finals are approaching the end of the group stage, and the Serena Williams group is set for an all-or-nothing battle for a semifinal spot between Iga Swiatek and Amanda Anisimova. The winner of this crucial clash will join Elena Rybakina in the semifinals.
Both Swiatek and Anisimova lost to the lower-seeded Rybakina earlier in the tournament, leaving no room for error—they must win this match to advance out of the Serena Williams group.
After her defeat by Rybakina in the opener, World No. 4 Amanda Anisimova bounced back with a victory over fellow American Madison Keys, winning 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. Meanwhile, Iga Swiatek started the tournament strong with a win against Keys but then suffered a surprising and dominating loss to Rybakina, going down 6-3, 1-6, 0-6.
### Amanda Anisimova vs. Iga Swiatek: Head-to-Head
Although both players have had busy seasons, they have only faced each other twice. Swiatek delivered a crushing defeat to Anisimova in the Wimbledon final, but the American responded by avenging that loss in the US Open quarterfinals.
Swiatek is known for learning from her defeats, evident by the fact that the last time she lost back-to-back matches was four years ago at the WTA Finals in Guadalajara.
The first set in their upcoming match will be critical. Anisimova struggles under pressure, with a record of just 3-20 in matches after losing the first set. On the other hand, Swiatek boasts an impressive 54-2 record this year when winning the opening set.
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### What’s Happening in the Steffi Graf Group?
The WTA Finals in Riyadh have split the top players into two groups of four. While the Serena Williams group nearly has its semifinalists decided, the Steffi Graf group remains wide open, with no secured semifinalists yet.
Aryna Sabalenka leads the group with two wins but has not clinched a semifinal spot. Jasmine Paolini has been eliminated after losing both her matches.
Coco Gauff suffered a surprising defeat at the hands of Jessica Pegula, adding intrigue to the group standings. Pegula, however, lost her match against Sabalenka, leaving the group wide open.
Gauff’s next match is against Sabalenka. If Gauff manages to win, it will make the group’s standings even more interesting to follow.
The winner of the Steffi Graf group will face the winner of the Amanda Anisimova vs. Iga Swiatek match, while Elena Rybakina will take on whoever finishes second in the Graf group.
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Stay tuned as the WTA Finals group stage nears its climax, with high stakes and thrilling battles to determine the semifinalists!
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