Coco Gauff upset defending WTA Finals champion Iga Swiatek for under the second time in 13 matches to achieve 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 now 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 informed Sky Sports activities Tennis.
“It means so much [the crowds]. You guys are holding it down and it was a extremely enjoyable environment. I like taking part in in atmospheres like this and it makes competing thrilling.
“I used to be simply making an attempt to be resilient and play it deep. The situations are powerful and the altitude powerful.
“I was trying not to give her too many unforced errors. It’s just a game of cat and mouse in these conditions.
“You may’t change the previous. I am within the course of of adjusting issues. There’s going to be good days and unhealthy days.”
Each gamers made errors all through, however Gauff proved the stronger ultimately, letting out an enormous roar after breaking serve within the ultimate recreation.
The American completed the night time with 10 winners to 33 unforced errors, 11 of which have 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 below new coach Wim Fissette, can nonetheless be part of Gauff within the semi-finals however she might want to beat Jessica Pegula in her ultimate match.
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Swiatek edged Gauff on this unimaginable rally throughout their epic encounter on the WTA Finals
‘You may’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 arduous to look at at instances,” said the five-time Grand Slam semi-finalist.
“When you find yourself struggling to get into your play, it is nearly 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 top down the road, and the slice forehand, it regarded type of ugly at instances, however acquired the rhythm and Swiatek did not actually prefer it.”
Wimbledon champion Krejcikova downs Pegula
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Highlights of Barbora Krejcikova towards Jessica Pegula from the WTA Finals
Pegula’s hopes of profitable a maiden WTA Finals title at this 12 months’s match 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 likelihood of reaching the semi-finals heading into her remaining match towards Swiatek – a repeat of final 12 months’s ultimate, 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 appears…
What’s developing 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)
