WTA Finals: Gauff outlasts Vondrousova in three-set battle; joins Swiatek in the semi-finals
Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek have booked a spot for the semis of the WTA Finals last night, while eliminating Marketa Vondrousova and Ons Jabeur
© Zuma / Panoramic
In a battle between the two most recent women’s Grand Slam champions, US Open winner Coco Gauff overcame a tough challenge from Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova to win their round-robin group match at the WTA Finals in Cancun on Friday.
Gauff overcame the loss of a close first set before fighting back to take the second in a tiebreaker and then complete the 5-7, 6-7(4), 6-3 in just under two-and-a-half hours. This was Gauff’s second win in three group matches this week and also improved her head-to-head over the Czech to 3-0 on Tour.
Gauff to meet doubles partner Pegula in the semi-final
“Marketa is a very tricky player. When you play her pace and let her move you side to side it’s tough. And I played her, it’s my third time, so I know that,” Gauff said. “But obviously, in the wind, it’s tough to be as aggressive as you want, because the bounces are weird and the ball was moving. So I’m glad I made that
adjustment and didn’t get too frustrated when I missed. You pay the price for hopefully a good reward.”
In the second match of the day, world No 1 Iga Swiatek defeated Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur 6-1, 6-2 to finish the Chetumal group with a 3-0 record and qualify for the semi-finals in first position.
Gauff with a 2-1 record finishes in second place and also qualifies for the semi-finals for the first time at the WTA season final. Gauff will take on fellow American and her doubles partner this week, Jessica Pegula, in the last four.
Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka will clash in the other semi-final which will also be a key match in the battle for the year-end world No 1 spot. Sabalenka needs to reach the final to lock the top spot for herself but if the
Belarusian loses the semi-final, then Swiatek could move past the Belarusian by winning the title in Cancun.
Chetumal group standings
1. Iga Swiatek 3-0
2. Coco Gauff 2-1
3. Ons Jabeur 1-2
4. Maketa Vondrousova 0-3
