Coco Gauff put in a sensational display to beat world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka and book a place in the final of the WTA Finals Riyadh, where she will face Qinwen Zheng, in an encounter that promises to be thrilling and closely contested.
Gauff showcased her resilience and fighting spirit, battling back not once but twice from a break down to take the opening set in a fiercely contested tie-break. Ultimately, she succeeded with a score of 7-6 (7-4) and then continued to dominate in the second set, sealing the match with a final score of 6-3. It was a testament to her mental fortitude and fighting tenacity as she managed to break Sabalenka on four consecutive occasions during the second set. This powerful performance, however, was not without challenges, as Gauff experienced a momentary wobble, dropping her serve twice, which made the match even more tense.
“I’m happy with the way I played,” Gauff said after her impressive semi-final victory. Her composure in the heat of the moment was evident as she acknowledged the tough competition presented by Sabalenka, stating, “I know that coming up against Aryna, she’s always going to be a tough match. She is world No 1 for a reason.” This level of respect for her opponent highlights Gauff’s maturity and understanding of the game at such a young age.
As she prepares for the final against Zheng, who herself is on a remarkable journey, Gauff has expressed confidence in her abilities. “Zheng is playing great tennis too, but I just need to play confidently; that will help me win. I’m not nervous. Being here is a reward for the season I’ve had,” she noted, reflecting on her successful journey through the tournament.
The 20-year-old American will face Zheng, the Olympic champion from the Paris Games this summer, who has also been in scintillating form. Zheng stormed past Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova with a score of 6-3, 7-5 in the other semi-final, securing her position in the final. This will mark Zheng’s debut at the WTA Finals, a noteworthy achievement for the young athlete.
This journey caps a remarkable run for the Chinese 22-year-old Zheng, who has been performing exceptionally well on tour. With an impressive record of 30 wins in her last 35 matches, she demonstrated her fierce competitiveness by overpowering Krejcikova. The Czech player, having delivered an unexpected run in the Finals, showed her skill by previously defeating Gauff in their last group match, a significant achievement that saw her eliminate defending champion Iga Swiatek in the process.
Throughout her match against Krejcikova, Zheng appeared to be in complete control, even going up a set and 3-0 ahead in the second set. Nevertheless, she faced some adversity when a poor service game allowed Krejcikova to fight back into the match. Nevertheless, Zheng was able to regain the momentum by breaking serve at a crucial moment during the 11th game of the second set, ultimately converting on her second match point to secure her spot in the final.
With this accomplishment, Zheng becomes the second Asian player to reach the final of the season-ending event, following in the footsteps of her compatriot Li Na, and she is also the youngest finalist since Petra Kvitova in 2011. As both players gear up for this exciting final, fans are treated to a showcase of talent and determination, promising an enthralling match ahead.
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