Defending WTA Finals champion Iga Swiatek has been eliminated from the tournament after a pivotal match where Barbora Krejcikova triumphed over Coco Gauff in straight sets with a scoreline of 7-5, 6-4. This victory allowed Krejcikova to progress to the semi-finals in Riyadh as the winner of the Orange Group, ultimately sending the defending champion Swiatek packing.
Coco Gauff had already secured her spot in the semi-finals prior to this match, but world No. 1 Swiatek found herself in a precarious position. She needed Gauff to defeat Krejcikova in order to have a chance to move on, as Krejcikova herself required a victory to advance. Earlier in the competition, Swiatek had put forth a commanding display, dismantling Daria Kasatkina. However, her progression was heavily reliant on the outcome of the subsequent match between Gauff and Krejcikova.
In a dramatic turn of events, Krejcikova saved an impressive 11 out of 12 break points, showcasing her resilience and determination as she battled for every point against Gauff. Despite being the lowest-ranked player in the tournament, Krejcikova’s performance against the young American propelled her to the top of the group standings, finishing with the best sets percentage among the players. This scenario left Swiatek to lament her exit as she had secured a 2-1 record in the group but unfortunately missed out on qualifying for the semi-finals.
Looking ahead, Krejcikova will face off against Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen in the semi-finals, while Gauff is set to compete against world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. Krejcikova’s journey in the tournament is particularly remarkable considering her earlier struggles this season, including a three-set defeat to Swiatek in their opening match. Her subsequent wins against Jessica Pegula and Gauff signal a resurgence in her form as she pushes towards the latter stages of the competition.
Swiatek’s performance against Kasatkina was nothing short of extraordinary. She delivered a staggering 6-1, 6-0 win, completing the match in just 51 minutes, marking it as the shortest match in the last eight years of the WTA Finals. Within this brief time span, Swiatek won 51 out of 74 points and broke Kasatkina’s serve five times out of six, demonstrating her sheer dominance on the court.
During her press conference, when informed that her emphatic victory had no bearing on her semi-final qualifications, Swiatek’s reaction was one of disbelief, expressing, “You mean… it didn’t matter?” This statement encapsulates the uncertainty and unpredictability that often characterize high-stakes tournaments like the WTA Finals.
In light of her recent struggles, Swiatek made a significant change to her coaching team by hiring Belgian tennis coach Wim Fissette. This decision came after concluding her three-year partnership with Tomasz Wiktorowski. Fissette, who boasts an impressive track record with elite players such as Kim Clijsters, Simona Halep, Victoria Azarenka, Angelique Kerber, and Naomi Osaka, is expected to bring valuable experience and insight to Swiatek’s game as she looks to reclaim her position at the pinnacle of women’s tennis.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the semi-finals, where Krejcikova aims to solidify her place as a formidable contender, while Gauff and Swiatek both seek to navigate their respective challenges and continue to build upon their successful careers in the sport.
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