Get ready for a tennis showdown like no other! Day 5 of the WTA Finals Riyadh is here, and it's all about high-stakes, winner-take-all matches that will keep you on the edge of your seat. But here's where it gets controversial—can Amanda Anisimova truly dethrone Iga Swiatek, or is this just another chapter in Swiatek's dominance? Let’s dive into the action.
As the round-robin stage reaches its climax, the tension is palpable. In the singles draw, all eyes are on the Serena Williams Group, where a trilogy between world number two Iga Swiatek and the resilient Amanda Anisimova will decide who claims the second spot. Elena Rybakina, already crowned the group winner, faces an already-eliminated Madison Keys in a match that’s more about pride than points. But here’s the kicker: Swiatek and Anisimova’s head-to-head record is tied 1-1, and their last meeting at the US Open saw Anisimova pull off a stunning upset. Can she do it again?
Over in the Martina Navratilova Group, the doubles court is heating up. Top seeds Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini face Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens in their fourth clash of 2025. The winners secure second place and a semifinal berth alongside group winners Hsieh Su-wei and Jelena Ostapenko, who take on Asia Muhammad and Demi Schuurs. And this is the part most people miss—Errani and Paolini are on the brink of failing to advance out of the group stage for the second year in a row. Will they rise to the occasion, or will history repeat itself?
Let’s break down the matches and scenarios:
Group Advancement Scenarios
SINGLES
- Rybakina has locked in the top spot, while the Swiatek-Anisimova winner takes second. Keys is out.
- Rybakina will face the Stefanie Graf Group’s second-place finisher in the semifinals, while the Swiatek-Anisimova winner challenges the group winner.
DOUBLES
- Hsieh-Ostapenko have secured first place, and the Errani-Paolini vs. Kudermetova-Mertens winner takes second. Muhammad-Schuurs are eliminated.
- Hsieh-Ostapenko will face the Liezel Huber Group’s second-place team, while the Errani-Paolini or Kudermetova-Mertens winner meets the group winner.
Day 5 Matchups (Local Time)
3 p.m.: Sara Errani/Jasmine Paolini (1) vs. Veronika Kudermetova/Elise Mertens (4)
This doubles clash is a must-win for both teams. Errani and Paolini, despite their top seeding, are in danger of an early exit. Kudermetova and Mertens hold a 2-1 edge in their 2025 meetings, all on clay, but the Italians won their last encounter at Roland Garros en route to their first major title. Will familiarity breed success, or will the underdogs prevail?
Not before 5 p.m.: Elena Rybakina (6) vs. Madison Keys (7)
Rybakina has been unstoppable in Riyadh, but Keys, despite her elimination, has nothing to lose. Their head-to-head is tied 3-3, with Rybakina winning their last meeting in Cincinnati. Is this Keys’ chance to end her four-match losing streak, or will Rybakina continue her dominance?
Not before 6:30 p.m.: Iga Swiatek (2) vs. Amanda Anisimova (4)
This is the match everyone’s talking about. Swiatek rarely loses back-to-back matches, but Anisimova’s US Open quarterfinal win over her proves she’s a threat. Swiatek’s Wimbledon victory over Anisimova was decisive, but hard courts tell a different story. Can Anisimova replicate her US Open magic, or will Swiatek’s consistency reign supreme?
Hsieh Su-wei/Jelena Ostapenko (6) vs. Asia Muhammad/Demi Schuurs (8)
With the top spot secured, Hsieh and Ostapenko face a pairing they’ve never met before. Muhammad and Schuurs, despite being eliminated, will aim to end on a high note. Will this be a formality for Hsieh-Ostapenko, or can Muhammad-Schuurs pull off an upset?
Thought-Provoking Question: With Swiatek and Anisimova’s history, who do you think has the mental edge in this winner-take-all match? And for Errani-Paolini, is this their last chance to prove they belong among the elite? Let us know in the comments—we want to hear your take!
