Aryna Sabalenka v Jessica Pegula result - World No. 1 takes hard-fought win against Jessica Pegula at WTA Finals in Riyadh

Aryna Sabalenka recovered from a confidence-shaking second set to stop Jessica Pegula from advancing to the semi-finals on the fourth day of the 2025 WTA Finals in Riyadh.

She hit a major slump during her 6-4 2-6 6-3 victory against the fifth seed in a two-hour thriller that saw some of the best tennis yet in the round-robin stage.

Sabalenka looked fired up in the first set as she sent some major serves at Pegula in her signature aggressive play. Her tennis was peppered with unforced errors, but she was relentless as she took the first break of the match. Despite Pegula breaking back, the quality and accuracy of her shots saw her through.

But the second set saw her wobble, and Pegula pounced on the opportunity with great consistency and control over her shots. The American has some great volleys, and was clearly unsettling Sabalenka as she swept the second set 2-6 with nary a glimpse of the World No. 1's composure during the half hour.

Sabalenka came back on court still shaky in the last set, and Pegula made a fine start as she broke her serve early. It seemed that it might go the way of the second set, but Sabalenka was able to break her twice straight after, and suddenly the top seed had the upper hand again.

Pegula continued to fight hard, but this time the comeback was not meant to be as a beautiful forehand went uncontested to give Sabalenka a hard-fought win.

Without a straight-set win, she will now face Coco Gauff to see who will make it to the semi-final, while Pegula will play an ailing Jasmine Paolini, who will need another miracle as she struggled with illness against the other two.

Sabalenka seems to have shaken off her woes as she makes an excellent judgement on Pegula's drop shot, and sees off the point with a nice drive volley. She's changed racquets since her double fault, and despite some missed first serves, she hasnt' made that error since.

It is a great return from Pegula and Sabalenka's forehand effort sends her off-balance, but her shot is perfect nonetheless and it sails into empty air to win her the match.

It isn't over for Pegula yet, she has won four straight games against Sabalenka before.

An ace puts her 30-40, then she plays an uncontested forehand to stay in it.

Pegula goes to change racquets after a fantastic cross-court forehand from Sabalenka. She isn't letting up on her aggressive style, her first serve percentage is now in the 30s but it is working for her. Pressure is on Sabalenka now with the break on her side, but she holds serve to make it one game away from victory.

Sabalenka takes the lead in this game, but Pegula is able to direct her opponent all over the court, and her excellent ability on the volley makes it 30-30. Sabalenka makes it break point again, but she goes wide to go to deuce instead.

Sabalenka plays another stunning backhand right on the line for advantage, then Pegula's forehand goes wide much to her frustration. Sabalenka is now up with the break.

Sabalenka puts her fist into the air as the crowd erupts, it was great from Pegula, but it is flawless from the World No.1 who hooks an unbelievable backhand to clip the corner by a hair.

But the 2023 finalist strikes back with a shot that Sabalenka doesn't even fight for to retake the lead in this game.

Sabalenka then sends a forehand straight past Pegula to hold serve.

You have to wonder what is going through Sabalenka's head right now. She is staying aggressive, but Pegula looks calm against the top seed.

Sabalenka smashes a brilliant forehand that Pegula puts into the net, and they are at deuce. She sees it through with a great return off Pegula's second serve, and it is a break each!

It is an uncharacteristic missed shot for Sabalenka, who takes a second to breathe. She is on the verge of losing her head and another set 15-40 as she double-faults, and she sends her first serve into the net.

Big relief as Pegula sends the return on a remarkably bold second serve into the net, then goes long on her forehand after, and Sabalenka has breathing room with deuce.

Third double-fault of the match from the World No.1, but a well-placed serve takes advantage away from Pegula. She double-faults again for break-point Pegula - and Pegula manages it this time!

Big rally to start, Pegula slices to bring Sabalenka forward, who can't quite bend her return onto the line.

A screamer from Sabalenka, who this time smashes a clean winner down the line to go to deuce. But a couple of errors made it advantage Pegula, and she holds serve with a perfectly-judged volley.

Sabalenka to serve first in this last set. Sabalenka is no longer guaranteed a spot in the semi-finals, whereas if Pegula wins this match she will.

Quick game for Sabalenka who holds serve.

Pegula now serves for the set, what a change this is from half an hour ago. But her second serves don't quite have the same lift as Sabalenka's, and she manages to return them well.

A slight wobble as Pegula double-faults, but a great drop volley cross court, then an uncontested forehand puts her at deuce.

Advantage for Pegula from three points down, Sabalenka fights back to deuce. But she overshoots her return, and it will be delight for the American after a very strong set.

A bout of annoyance from Pegula as she thumps her racquet into the ground - she's given away a point with a genuine unforced error after an excellent return on Sabalenka's serve.

But she recovers much quicker than the top seed did, and she gets herself into a break-point opportunity. Double fault from Sabalenka and Pegula is very much back in business.

A nice slice pulls Sabalenka towards the net, and it is an easy point for Pegula. She's holding serve well, and her last serve sees Sabalenka's return into the net.

Not Sabalenka's best serve, and Pegula rockets a brilliant return back into her corner. Sabalenka is clearly agitated now, but she seems to be returning to herself from the last set with some important serves.

Is Sabalenka in her own head? Another return into the net and her racquet this time gets aimed at the court. First point in ten for Sabalenka, then she takes two more off mistakes from Pegula.

She'll want to break Pegula back now before it becomes an issue down the line. They go to deuce, then Sabalenka forces two big recovery returns before she slams a volley into the net to her disbelief. She's not taking her time on these shots and it seems to be punishing her.

Pugula holds on.

Frustration from Sabalenka as she thumps her racquet into her shoe and gives a loud shout, Pegula is playing excellent returns and she can't keep her returns within the lines.

Suddenly it's a second consecutive love game for Pegula, and Sabalenka sends her ball towards the crowd to give her the break just nine minutes into this set.

Pegula answers with back-to-back aces of her own. Both players seem to be on even keel to start this second set.

Slightly short serve from Sabalenka and Pegula pounces on it. But Sabalenka replies with a perfect ace, and then slams a tidy forehand past her to take the first set.