Aryna Sabalenka took a huge step towards the last four of the WTA Finals after defeating Jessica Pegula in three sets.

Sabalenka prevailed 6-4 2-6 6-3 in a match that lasted over two hours to move to 2-0 in the round robin phase.

The pair were evenly matched in the first set before Sabalenka eventually broke to propel herself into a 5-2 lead.

However, Pegula broke Sabalenka’s serve to claw back to within touching distance, only to see her own serve broken in the following game at the fourth attempt.

But Pegula carried that momentum she built into the second set to force a decider.

Sabalenka looked to be in trouble when Pegula once again stole her serve, but the world number one found her rhythm to secure back-to-back breaks and take a 4-2 lead in the third.

And Sabalenka did not look back from there, clinching victory with her first match point.

Eye of the tiger ! @SabalenkaA battles past Pegula in a three set match 6-4, 2-6, 6-3. #WTAFinalsRiyadh pic.twitter.com/OwCDYLcfQQ

— wta (@WTA) November 4, 2025

Data Debrief: Sabalenka fends off another challenger

This win marks Sabalenka’s 25th career victory against WTA top-five players.

She is just the second active player to achieve the feat, after Victoria Azarenka (34).

It was also her 12th win of the year against top-10 ranked opponents, the most of any player so far this season and a career-high for Sabalenka.