In a thrilling semifinal clash at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, Coco Gauff delivered a masterful performance to topple World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 7-6(4), 6-3, securing her spot in the championship match against Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen. With this win, Gauff made history, becoming the youngest player to reach the WTA Finals final since Caroline Wozniacki in 2010 and setting her sights on being the youngest champion since Maria Sharapova’s 2004 victory.
The 20-year-old American showcased grit and precision to keep Sabalenka on her heels. In the first-set tiebreak, Gauff’s resilient baseline play and explosive forehand allowed her to pull ahead, capitalizing on Sabalenka’s 18 unforced forehand errors. Gauff continued to build momentum into the second set, creating six break points to Sabalenka’s four and ultimately sealing her place in the finals with powerful serving and well-timed groundstrokes.
Zheng Qinwen, who has been a force since Wimbledon with 31 wins out of 36 matches, earned her spot in the final by defeating Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova 6-3, 7-5. Like Gauff, Zheng is in the WTA Finals for the first time, and her consistency this season has made her one of the tour’s most formidable players.
The final promises to be an exciting showdown of two rising stars with distinctive styles. Both players are vying for the prestigious WTA Finals trophy and a record-breaking $4.8 million prize—the largest ever awarded in women’s tennis.
Gauff’s victory marks her as one of only three players in the last decade to defeat both the World No. 1 and No. 2 at the WTA Finals, underscoring her arrival on the global stage. As she faces Zheng for the title, the tennis world is watching to see if Gauff can cap off her breakthrough season with one of the sport’s most coveted crowns.
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