Gauff defeats Sabalenka, sets up Zheng showdown at WTA Finals in Riyadh
American Coco Gauff, aged 20, triumphed over world number one Aryna Sabalenka, 26, with a score of 7-6(4), 6-3 in the semi-finals of the WTA Finals on Friday. Gauff will now face China's Zheng Qinwen, 22, in the final match.
Although Sabalenka will conclude the year as the top-ranked player, her pursuit of a first WTA Finals title was halted by Gauff, who has advanced to her inaugural final at this prestigious end-of-season event.
In an earlier match, seventh seed Zheng defeated the resilient Czech player Barbora Krejcikova with a score of 6-3, 7-5, securing her place in Saturday's final on her debut.
The encounter between Sabalenka and the world number three Gauff was anticipated to be closely contested, given their even head-to-head record of 4-4, and the initial set did not disappoint.
After exchanging early breaks, Sabalenka managed to break again, taking a 6-5 lead and serving for the set. However, Gauff responded effectively, pushing the set into a tiebreak that featured eight service breaks over the course of 11 points.
Gauff established a commanding 6-1 lead in the tiebreak, breaking Sabalenka four times, while the Belarusian managed to save the first two set points by breaking twice. Nevertheless, Gauff maintained her composure to secure the first set.
Throughout the match, Sabalenka appeared visibly frustrated, while Gauff surged to a 4-1 advantage in the second set. The sixth game evolved into a lengthy battle, during which Gauff saved seven break points, even as Sabalenka expressed her frustration by tossing her racket. Ultimately, Gauff won the game, keeping her momentum alive, before breaking to love to serve for the match.
Sabalenka made a comeback by breaking Gauff again, but the American remained composed. Just when it seemed Sabalenka might regain control, Gauff broke for a fourth time in the second set.
"I am pleased with my performance; she is world number one for a reason," Gauff remarked, looking ahead to the final against Zheng. "I am not particularly nervous, to be honest. I view the year-end as an added bonus, and being here is a reward for the season I have had," added the third seed.
China's Olympic gold medallist Zheng, making her debut at the WTA Finals, commenced her match against eighth seed Krejcikova with an impressive performance, securing an early break to establish a 3-0 advantage.
Despite facing three set points while trailing 5-2, the Czech player managed to save them, but Zheng quickly responded by winning the subsequent game without dropping a point, thus clinching the first set comfortably.
The second set appeared to follow a similar trajectory as Zheng surged ahead with a 3-0 lead, achieving two breaks of serve. However, Krejcikova found her rhythm, winning four consecutive games, which included two breaks of her own.
The next three games were held serve, resulting in a 5-5 tie before Zheng executed another break, positioning herself to serve for the match. Krejcikova put up a strong fight, saving the initial match point, but Zheng ultimately secured her victory.
"This is incredibly special for me. It is my first WTA Finals, and now I am in the final," Zheng remarked. "Krejcikova is an excellent player, and we had a great match. I am unsure what transpired when I was leading 3-0."
SportsLigue