The four-time major winner won seven of eight games at one stretch of the contest to turn it into a one-sided affair. She regained her double break advantage to end the hard-hitting showdown when Rybakina’s forehand reply sailed long.
Sabalenka remains on course to finish as the year-end world No. 1 for the second straight year. The 27-year-old is seeking her 10th career 1000-level trophy and third of 2025, following triumphs in Miami and Madrid. Sabalenka has now reached 60 tour-level semifinals, including 11 this season.
Sixth seed Jessica Pegula awaits in the last four after turning the tide to defeat Katerina Siniakova, 2-6, 6-0, 6-3. The American will be aiming to overturn a 2-8 mark against her peer.
As for Rybakina, her bid to overtake Jasmine Paolini for No. 8 in the Race to the WTA Finals will have to wait another week. The Italian can increase her lead if she manages to advance past Iga Swiatek for the first time in seven attempts later Friday. If Paolini loses, Pegula will become the sixth player to qualify to Riyadh.
