Key Highlights
- Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff will face each other for the third time in 2025.
- Jessica Pegula looks to bounce back against Jasmine Paolini after a tough start.
- In doubles, defending champions Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe aim to secure their title defense with a win over Timea Babos and Luisa Stefani.
- Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend will advance as the group winner against Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider.
WTA Finals: Key Matches to Watch on Day 6
Day 6 of the WTA Finals in Riyadh is set to be a pivotal day, with two singles semifinal spots and one doubles semifinal spot up for grabs. The competition within the Stefanie Graf and Liezel Huber Groups will determine which players secure their place in the upper echelons of women’s tennis.
Singles: Sabalenka and Gauff Clash Once More
The most anticipated match of the day is set to be between World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff, with this being the third time they face each other in 2025. Their previous meetings have been intense, with Gauff defeating Sabalenka 7-6 (4), 6-3 on the same court last year during their semifinal clash at the WTA Finals Riyadh.
Both players are determined to secure a place in the singles semifinals. Sabalenka needs a victory to advance as the group winner, while Gauff’s path is less straightforward. If Gauff loses and Pegula wins against Paolini in straight sets, their fate will be decided by the percentage of games won.
Challenges for Pegula
Jessica Pegula faces a tough challenge against Jasmine Paolini. Although Pegula has historically dominated this series dating back to 2016, Paolini’s recent performances suggest she is not an easy opponent. Paolini clinched Italy’s second consecutive title with a straight-set victory over Pegula at the Billie Jean King Cup finals in September.
Paolini’s demanding schedule and illness prior to the tournament might affect her performance. However, a win against Pegula could significantly impact the group standings, potentially giving her six Top 10 wins for the season if she prevails.
Doubles: Defending Champions Seek to Maintain Title
In doubles, defending champions Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe are aiming to keep their title defense alive. They face a winner-take-all match against Timea Babos and Luisa Stefani in the final group matches. The other match will determine who finishes second, with Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend advancing as the group winners.
Their previous meeting earlier this year saw Dabrowski-Routliffe win both sets, securing their doubles title at the US Open. However, they withdrew from a subsequent semifinal in Strasbourg, leaving fans eager to see if they can maintain their form.
Final Group Matches Set for Thursday
The day’s matches are scheduled as follows:
- Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe vs. Timea Babos and Luisa Stefani – 3 p.m. local time
- Jessica Pegula vs. Jasmine Paolini – Not before 5 p.m.
- Aryna Sabalenka vs.
Coco Gauff – Not before 6:30 p.m.
- Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend vs. Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider – With Andreeva-Shnaider’s loss, Siniakova and Townsend will advance to their second consecutive semifinals in Riyadh.
The outcome of these matches will determine who advances to the singles and doubles semifinals at this prestigious year-end championships. Stay tuned for updates as the competition unfolds on Day 6 of the WTA Finals in Riyadh, November 5, 2025.
