Coco Gauff delivered a stunning performance at the WTA Finals in Riyadh on Tuesday, defeating world number two Iga Swiatek 6-3, 6-4 to secure her spot in the semi-finals. This victory not only marks Gauff’s advancement but also ends Swiatek’s quest to reclaim the year-end No.1 ranking, which now belongs to Aryna Sabalenka.
Entering the match, Gauff had a challenging record against Swiatek, having lost 11 of their 12 previous encounters. However, the 19-year-old American showcased exceptional resilience and confidence, turning the tables on her Polish opponent.
“It feels great. I knew going into the match that despite our head-to-head, I had a lot of confidence,” Gauff said after the match. Despite hitting 11 double faults, she managed to capitalize on key moments, breaking Swiatek’s serve multiple times.
Swiatek needed a win to keep her hopes of ending the year as the top-ranked player alive. Her loss means Sabalenka will finish the season as the world number one for the first time in her career.
In another match, Barbora Krejcikova defeated Jessica Pegula 6-3, 6-3, ending the American’s chances of advancing. Krejcikova, the reigning Wimbledon champion, kept her hopes alive for a semi-final spot.
Both Krejcikova and Swiatek will await the outcomes of the final round-robin matches to determine their fate in the tournament.
Reference(s):
Gauff beats Swiatek at WTA Finals, Sabalenka earns year-end No.1
cgtn.com
