How to Watch Jessica Pegula vs. Elena Rybakina at the WTA Finals 2025 Semifinals
The 2025 WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, enters its knockout phase, with American fan favorite Jessica Pegula facing the dominant group-winner Elena Rybakina in a high-stakes semifinal. This article details the match time conversion for U.S. viewers and outlines how to catch the action live on Friday, November 7, 2025.
Match Details and Broadcast Information
| Event | WTA Finals 2025 |
| Matchup | [5] Jessica Pegula (USA) vs. [6] Elena Rybakina (KAZ) |
| Stage | Singles Semifinal 1 |
| Venue | Center Court, King Saud University Indoor Arena, Riyadh, KSA |
| Date | Friday, November 7, 2025 |
| Start Time (Local) | Not before 6:00 PM AST (Arabia Standard Time, UTC+3) |
| U.S. TV Broadcast | Tennis Channel (Exclusive U.S. home for the WTA Finals) |
| U.S. Live Stream | Tennis Channel Everywhere, FuboTV, Sling TV, or DIRECTV STREAM (via Tennis Channel access) |
⏰ Time Conversion for U.S. Viewers
The match is scheduled for Not before 6:00 PM local time in Riyadh (AST). Riyadh is 8 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time (EST) and 11 hours ahead of U.S. Pacific Standard Time (PST).
To ensure you don’t miss the start of this electric semifinal, use the time conversion table below:
| Riyadh Local Time (AST) | U.S. Eastern Time (EST) | U.S. Central Time (CST) | U.S. Mountain Time (MST) | U.S. Pacific Time (PST) |
| Not before 6:00 PM | Not before 10:00 AM | Not before 9:00 AM | Not before 8:00 AM | Not before 7:00 AM |
Note on Start Time: The match will start immediately following the first doubles semifinal, which begins at 3:30 PM AST (7:30 AM EST). While 10:00 AM EST is the earliest confirmed start time for the Pegula vs. Rybakina match, be prepared for a slightly earlier or later start depending on the duration of the opening doubles contest.
📺 How to Watch in the United States
The Tennis Channel holds the exclusive broadcast rights for the WTA Finals in the United States, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Television (Cable/Satellite)
If you subscribe to Tennis Channel through your cable or satellite provider, tune in for live coverage starting with the first Doubles Semifinal at 7:30 AM EST, with the Pegula vs. Rybakina match scheduled to follow the first Doubles SF.
Streaming Options
For cord-cutters or viewers streaming on the go, there are several ways to access the Tennis Channel feed:
- Tennis Channel Everywhere: Subscribers can log in to the official Tennis Channel website or app for live streaming.
- Streaming Services: Tennis Channel is available through major live TV streaming bundles, including:
- FuboTV
- Sling TV (requires the Sports Extra add-on)
- DIRECTV STREAM (in certain packages)
It is highly recommended to check your local streaming guide or the Tennis Channel schedule on Friday morning to confirm the broadcast window, as live tennis coverage can often run long.
🎾 Semifinal Preview: Power vs. Consistency
This matchup is a compelling clash of styles and momentum.
Elena Rybakina’s Dominance
Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina, the World No. 6, enters the semifinal as the undisputed winner of the Serena Williams Group, securing a flawless 3-0 record (6-1 in sets). Rybakina has been lethal in Riyadh, showcasing her devastating first serve, which has boasted the best percentage of points won in the entire tournament (over 80% in the group stage). Her ability to generate power quickly on the hard indoor court makes her an extremely difficult opponent. She has also been clinical on return, breaking opponents with astonishing efficiency (75% conversion rate on break points). She has secured her spot in the WTA Finals knockout stage for the first time in her career.
Jessica Pegula’s Resilience
American Jessica Pegula, the World No. 5, advanced as the runner-up of the highly competitive Stefanie Graf Group. Pegula demonstrated her characteristic consistency, recovering from a tough three-set loss to Aryna Sabalenka to secure her spot with a convincing straight-sets win over Jasmine Paolini. Pegula, a finalist in 2023, is known for her exceptional defense, court coverage, and ability to handle pace. She excels at absorbing power and redirecting it, often causing unforced errors from aggressive players.
Head-to-Head History
According to their career statistics, Pegula currently leads the head-to-head record against Rybakina 3-1. However, the last few meetings have been fierce:
- 2023 WTA Finals (Mexico, Hard, Round 1): Pegula d. Rybakina 7-6(5), 6-2 (This result favors Pegula’s confidence in this high-pressure event, although the venue and surface were different).
- 2023 Miami (Hard, Semifinals): Rybakina d. Pegula 7-6(3), 6-4 (An indication of Rybakina’s ability to win big matches on hard courts).
The fast indoor conditions in Riyadh arguably favor Rybakina’s massive serve, making this semifinals contest a true toss-up. Pegula’s path to the final will depend on neutralizing Rybakina’s first serve and forcing long, physical rallies where her consistency can prevail.
Don’t miss the American bid for the championship as Jessica Pegula fights for her second WTA Finals final appearance.
Up Next: The winner of the Pegula vs. Rybakina semifinal will face the winner of the second semifinal, [1] Aryna Sabalenka vs. [4] Amanda Anisimova, in the WTA Finals Championship on Saturday, November 8.
