Anisimova has won six of their previous 10 meetings, although they have met in the past three Grand Slams, with Sabalenka winning 2-1 in this particular head-to-head meeting.
She won the French Open fourth round and US Open final in straight sets, while Anisimova won the Wimbledon semifinals in three sets.
Their semi-final in Riyadh promised a lot and delivered.
The first two games took 18 minutes to complete. Anisimova saved three break points to secure the first set, and then Sabalenka fought back from 0-40 behind.
Just over an hour into the match, Sabalenka finally secured the first set.
Anisimova, playing in her first WTA Finals, failed to win the first set in four games, but she took a 4-0 lead in the second set to level the match.
In a close decider, Sabalenka’s backhand return winner sealed the decisive break in the seventh game, and the pair embraced at the net when Anisimova’s forehand missed on match point.
“I told Amanda she should be proud of her season – she’s been playing incredible tennis all season and this is just the beginning,” Sabalenka said.
“I know she’s probably disappointed, but there’s more to come.”
