Aryna Sabalenka and Amanda Anisimova will face each other for the 11th time at the tour level in the WTA Finals semi-final on Friday, competing for a spot in Saturday’s title match in Riyadh.

By defeating Coco Gauff on Thursday, Sabalenka ensured that the streak of no successful title defences at the year-end tournament will continue, a record that dates back to Serena Williams 's three consecutive titles from 2012 to 2014; however, the top seed will need to beat Anisimova, another American player, to advance to the eagerly anticipated final against either Jessica Pegula or Elena Rybakina .

Match preview

Was a fourth consecutive WTA Finals semi-final ever in doubt after Sabalenka claimed the opening set against Gauff on Thursday?

Before Thursday's round-robin match, the Belarus

See Full Page