Coco Gauff upset defending WTA Finals champion Iga Swiatek for only the second time in 13 matches to reach the semi-finals in Riyadh, despite 11 double faults.
Former US Open champion Gauff defeated former world No 1 Swiatek 6-3 6-4 to improve to 2-0 in round-robin play and take control of the Orange Group on Tuesday.
It also ensures Aryna Sabalenka will finish the year as world No 1, with Swiatek no longer able to overtake the Australian Open and US Open winner.
The victory is Gauff’s first over Swiatek since the 2023 Cincinnati Open and snapped the Pole’s six-match winning streak at the WTA Finals.
“It feels great and despite our head-to-head I was still confident and I knew if I could find my game, I knew I had the chance to close out the match,” Gauff told Sky Sports Tennis.
“I was trying not to give her too many unforced errors. It’s just a game of cat and mouse in these conditions.
“You can’t change the past. I’m in the process of changing things. There’s going to be good days and bad days.”
Both players made errors throughout, but Gauff proved the stronger in the end, letting out a huge roar after breaking serve in the final game.
The American finished the night with 10 winners to 33 unforced errors, 11 of which were double faults. Swiatek outpaced Gauff with 15 winners, but struck 47 unforced errors in a drama-filled encounter.
The Pole, playing just her second match under new coach Wim Fissette, can still join Gauff in the semi-finals but she will need to beat Jessica Pegula in her final match.
“I love her [Gauff] competitive spirit because that’s hard to watch at times,” said the five-time Grand Slam semi-finalist.
“When you are struggling to get into your play, it’s almost like the serve is a hindrance instead of a weapon.
“But the way she has been able to go out there, struggling on serve, with such an awful head-to-head record and still find a way to win, I think just speaks volumes about her character.
“I loved the way Gauff changed the shape on her forehand, that height down the line, and the slice forehand, it looked kind of ugly at times, but got the rhythm and Swiatek didn’t really like it.”
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