Coco Gauff reaches 2024 WTA Finals Riyadh semi-finals with victory over Iga Swiatek
The world number three overcame the world number two in straight sets to reach the semi-finals of the tennis season finale in Saudi Arabia.
Tennis
Coco Gauff kept her composure to defeat defending WTA Tour Finals champion Iga Swiatek and reach the semi-finals of the 2024 WTA Finals Riyadh on Tuesday (5 November).
The American tennis star beat Swiatek 6-3, 6-4 to extend her perfect group stage record and book her place in the final four for the third year running.
This is just Gauff’s second win in 13 attempts against the Paris 2024 bronze medallist, in what was a mouth-watering clash between the second and third ranked players in the world.
Swiatek saved four consecutive break points amid Gauff’s unforced errors, but it was fifth time lucky for the American to finally break her serve in the first set and take control.
The errors were now emerging on both sides as Gauff won 13 first return points to Swiatek’s three. While her opponent was more clinical with her serves, Gauff persisted and broke Swiatek’s serve to win the opening set.
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - NOVEMBER 05: Iga Swiatek of Poland plays a forehand against Coco Gauff of the United States in their round robin singles match during Day 4 of the 2024 WTA Finals Riyadh as part of the Hologic WTA Tour at King Saud University Indoor Arena on November 05, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by )
Needing a factory reset, Swiatek headed to the changing rooms with a notebook in hand. The break in play swung the momentum and suddenly Gauff was struggling for rhythm, committing six double faults in three games to be broken for the first time.
Nonetheless, Gauff’s energetic play would not keep her out of the groove for long, regaining her grip on affairs and saving three times as many break points.
The world number three powered through and kept her cool to pull off a statement win, one which confirms Aryna Sabalenka as the year-end world number one.
In the earlier group match, eighth seed Barbora Krejcikova kept her semi-final hopes alive with a 6-3, 6-3 win against Jessica Pegula that eliminated the American.