Coco Gauff sailed into the last four of the WTA Finals with a hard-fought win over Iga Swiatek.
Coco Gauff claimed an impressive victory over Iga Swiatek at the WTA Finals, edging past her long-time rival in a thrilling but topsy-turvy contest.
Gauff took the first set 6-3 in a high-level battle, seizing her opportunities after initially missing some early break point opportunities.
Despite the strong start from both players, the second set was far more error-prone, with the pair struggling for consistency and Gauff’s double-fault count beginning to climb.
Swiatek, playing only her second match since the US Open and adjusting to a recent coaching change, appeared to lack her usual sharpness, spraying a final forehand long to gift Gauff the match.
With the WTA finals attracting serious scrutiny after footage showed fewer than 500 people in attendance, Gauff gave her honest view on the atmosphere in Riyadh.
Coco Gauff gives honest take on WTA Finals atmosphere amid attendance controversy
The 20-year-old let out a roar as the Pole sent yet another shot long, relieved to have found a way through a challenging two sets.
Immediately going over to the crowd to show her appreciation for their support, it suggested the atmosphere had ramped up after a quiet second day.
With the finals held in Saudi Arabia for the first time, the debate over whether this is the right move for women’s tennis was reignited by footage of a near-empty stadium.
Speaking on the atmosphere after the win, Gauff said on Sky Sports’ coverage: “It means a lot [the crowds] especially the corner over there. You guys are holding it down and it was a really fun atmosphere.
“Even though some of you guys were cheering for Iga, I like playing in atmospheres like this and it makes competing exciting.”
The criticism feels unlikely to subside regardless, with ex-players like Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert having effectively boycotted the event.
However, with Gauff, another outspoken advocate for women’s tennis, seemingly relishing her time in Riyadh, perhaps some more stellar tennis will help dampen the critics and bolster the crowd sizes.
Coco Gauff’s win has huge ramifications for the rest of the WTA Finals
The win was especially meaningful for Gauff, as she came into this matchup trailing 1-11 in their head-to-head record.
Swiatek’s defeat also had larger implications for the rankings, as it officially confirmed Aryna Sabalenka as the year-end world number one.
Gauff’s resilience and improved record against Swiatek marked a significant step forward in her season, with the 20-year-old showcasing admirable grit when her serve began to abandon her in the second set.
While the tennis wasn’t always pretty, Gauff displayed immense perseverance to advance.
Yet to drop a set after a comprehensive win over Jessica Pegula in her opening match, Gauff has all the weapons to go on and win the year-end finale for the first time.
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