In a stunning turn of events at the WTA Finals, defending champion Iga Swiatek was ousted from the tournament after Barbora Krejcikova triumphed over Coco Gauff with a score of 7-5, 6-4. The Polish world number two's early exit marks a significant shift in the competition as Krejcikova secures her place in the last four.
Krejcikova, ranked eighth, delivered a remarkable performance, especially in the tightly contested first set that saw her save four break points before closing it with a powerful backhand down the line. Her resilience set the tone for the second set, where she maintained her composure to win in one hour and 42 minutes.
Meanwhile, Coco Gauff, already guaranteed a spot in the semifinals, faced uncharacteristic struggles with unforced errors, tallying 23 in the first set alone. Despite her early challenges, Gauff's pathway remains strong as she prepares to take on world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in what promises to be a blockbuster semifinal.
Earlier in the tournament, Swiatek showcased her dominance by dismantling Daria Kasatkina in a swift 6-1, 6-0 victory, marking the fastest match at the WTA Finals in eight years. This win not only extended her head-to-head advantage over Kasatkina but also tied Serena Williams' record of six 6-0 set wins at the event.
Krejcikova's advancement makes her the lowest-ranked player to reach the semifinals since Sandrine Testud in 2001. In the next round, she will face China's Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, adding another exciting matchup to the semifinals lineup.
Barbora Krejcikova expressed her joy over the victory, stating, \"This is a big win for me and I'm really happy with how I played. Reaching the semifinal is something unimaginable, and I'm proud of myself and looking forward to the new challenges ahead.\"
Reference(s):
Swiatek knocked out of WTA Finals after Krejcikova beats Gauff
cgtn.com
