WTA Finals: Coco Gauff Stuns Defending Champion Iga Swiatek, Secures Semifinal Spot
Unbeaten in the Orange Round-Robin Group
Coco Gauff remained unbeaten in the WTA Finals after defeating fellow American Jessica Pegula in the previous round. The 20-year-old Gauff continued her winning streak by beating defending champion Iga Swiatek 6-3, 6-4 in the orange round-robin group on Tuesday.
Gauff’s Second Win Over Swiatek in 13 Meetings
This was Gauff’s second win over Swiatek in 13 meetings. Swiatek, 23, had dominated Gauff in their previous encounters, but looked rusty on her return after a two-month layoff. Gauff’s victory ensures that Aryna Sabalenka will finish the year as world No 1.
Swiatek’s Setback
French Open champion Swiatek lost in the US Open quarterfinals in September and was leapfrogged in the world rankings by Sabalenka after she skipped the WTA Tour’s Asian swing due to fatigue. Gauff, on the other hand, secured the title at the China Open in Beijing and reached the semifinals in Wuhan.
Krejcikova’s Comeback Win
Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova’s 6-3, 6-3 win against Jessica Pegula earlier on Tuesday ended the sixth-seeded American’s chances of qualifying for the semifinals in Riyadh. However, Krejcikova bounced back from her opening 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 loss to Swiatek in the orange group to keep her hopes of reaching the final four alive.
Pegula’s Disappointing Run
Pegula suffered her second straight-sets defeat of the week and will play her final round-robin match against Swiatek on Thursday. The sixth-seeded American’s chances of qualifying for the semifinals are now over.
Conclusion
Coco Gauff’s victory over Iga Swiatek has set up a strong chance for her to reach the semifinals of the WTA Finals. With her unbeaten record in the orange round-robin group, Gauff is looking confident and determined to make a deep run in the tournament.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is Coco Gauff and what is her current ranking?
A: Coco Gauff is a 20-year-old American tennis player, currently ranked 20th in the world.
Q: What is the WTA Finals and what is the format?
A: The WTA Finals is an annual tennis tournament featuring the top eight singles players and doubles teams from the WTA Tour. The format consists of a round-robin group stage followed by a semifinal and final.