Coco Gauff upset defending WTA Finals champion Iga Swiatek for under the second time in 13 matches to succeed in the semi-finals in Riyadh, regardless of 11 double faults.
Former US Open champion Gauff defeated former world No 1 Swiatek 6-3 6-4 to enhance to 2-0 in round-robin play and take management of the Orange Group on Tuesday.
It additionally ensures Aryna Sabalenka will end the 12 months as world No 1, with Swiatek not in a position to overtake the Australian Open and US Open winner.
The victory is Gauff’s first over Swiatek because the 2023 Cincinnati Open and snapped the Pole’s six-match profitable streak on the WTA Finals.
“It feels great and despite our head-to-head I was still confident and I knew if I could find my game, I knew I had the chance to close out the match,” Gauff instructed Sky Sports activities Tennis.
“It means rather a lot [the crowds]. You guys are holding it down and it was a very enjoyable environment. I like taking part in in atmospheres like this and it makes competing thrilling.
“I used to be simply attempting to be resilient and play it deep. The situations are robust and the altitude robust.
“I was trying not to give her too many unforced errors. It’s just a game of cat and mouse in these conditions.
“You possibly can’t change the previous. I am within the course of of fixing issues. There’s going to be good days and unhealthy days.”
Each gamers made errors all through, however Gauff proved the stronger in the long run, letting out an enormous roar after breaking serve within the remaining recreation.
The American completed the evening with 10 winners to 33 unforced errors, 11 of which had been double faults. Swiatek outpaced Gauff with 15 winners, however struck 47 unforced errors in a drama-filled encounter.
The Pole, taking part in simply her second match beneath new coach Wim Fissette, can nonetheless be a part of Gauff within the semi-finals however she might want to beat Jessica Pegula in her remaining match.
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Swiatek edged Gauff on this unbelievable rally throughout their epic encounter on the WTA Finals
‘You possibly can’t play higher than that’
Laura Robson on Sky Sports activities Tennis
“I don’t think you can play better than that given the head-to-head,” stated the previous British No 1. “She’s super strong. I was more concerned about Swiatek’s forehand than Gauff’s.
“She was actually in a position to get to the top of the vary.”
‘Win speaks volumes about Gauff’s character’
Tim Henman on Sky Sports Tennis
“I really like her [Gauff] aggressive spirit as a result of that is laborious to observe at occasions,” said the five-time Grand Slam semi-finalist.
“If you find yourself struggling to get into your play, it is virtually just like the serve is a hindrance as an alternative of a weapon.
“But the way she has been able to go out there, struggling on serve, with such an awful head-to-head record and still find a way to win, I think just speaks volumes about her character.
“I cherished the way in which Gauff modified the form on her forehand, that peak down the road, and the slice forehand, it regarded sort of ugly at occasions, however received the rhythm and Swiatek did not actually prefer it.”
Wimbledon champion Krejcikova downs Pegula
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Highlights of Barbora Krejcikova in opposition to Jessica Pegula from the WTA Finals
Pegula’s hopes of profitable a maiden WTA Finals title at this 12 months’s event in Saudi Arabia got here to an finish on Tuesday following a 6-3 6-3 defeat to Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova.
Sixth seed Pegula suffered a second successive straight-sets defeat in Orange Group and has no probability of reaching the semi-finals heading into her remaining match in opposition to Swiatek – a repeat of final 12 months’s remaining, which the American misplaced 6-1 6-0.
It was a maiden WTA Finals win on the fifth try for Czech Krejcikova, who certified for the season-ending occasion by profitable the women’ singles at Wimbledon this 12 months.
The world No 13, who has solely managed 17 tour-level singles victories this 12 months, will tackle Gauff when play within the Orange Group reaches a conclusion on Thursday.
Story of the Tape
How the Orange Group seems…
What’s arising on Sky Sports activities Tennis?
- WTA Finals Riyadh – (November 2-9)
- Belgrade Open – ATP 250 (November 3-9)
- Moselle Open, Metz – ATP 250 (November 3-9 – Cameron Norrie in motion)
- Nitto ATP Finals, Turin – (November 10-17)
