World No.3 Coco Gauff delivered an impressive upset over World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals of the WTA Finals Riyadh, advancing to Saturday’s highly anticipated championship match. The 20-year-old American defeated Sabalenka in straight sets, 7-6(4), 6-3, marking her second consecutive victory over a top-ranked player in Riyadh. Now, Gauff is just one win away from becoming the youngest WTA Finals champion since Maria Sharapova in 2004.
Title Showdown Against Olympic Champion Zheng Qinwen
Gauff’s final opponent will be Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, who overcame Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova in the first semifinal. The winner of Saturday’s final is set to claim a record-breaking prize of $4.8 million, the largest payout in the history of women’s tennis.
Battle Between the Season’s Top Hard-Court Players
The semifinal between Gauff and Sabalenka showcased two of the season’s top hard-court players. Although Sabalenka had a slight edge in their head-to-head meetings this season, Gauff’s improved serve made all the difference in Riyadh. Their previous encounter in Wuhan saw Gauff struggling with 21 double faults, which led to a narrow loss. However, in Riyadh, Gauff’s powerful serving and consistent baseline play kept her in control.
Reflecting on her performance, Gauff shared, “I knew if I could reduce my double faults, I’d have a better chance. I felt confident in my serve, and once I stepped on court, I believed I could win.”
Strong Start and Aggressive Play Secure Victory
The opening set was a fierce contest, with both players breaking each other twice. Gauff’s aggressive baseline play and quick footwork put Sabalenka under constant pressure, allowing her to edge ahead in the tiebreak. Sabalenka admitted that she struggled to find her rhythm, saying, “I missed some key opportunities today and just didn’t adjust as well as in my previous matches.”
Gauff capitalized on her momentum in the second set, breaking Sabalenka early to secure a 4-1 lead before ultimately closing out the match. This win marks Gauff’s first victory over a reigning No.1 since she defeated Iga Swiatek at the Cincinnati Open last summer.
Sabalenka’s Year-End No.1 Ranking
Despite the loss, Sabalenka will finish 2024 as the year-end World No.1, holding off Swiatek to secure the top ranking.
