Coco Gauff’s excellent WTA Finals semi-final victory over Aryna Sabalenka has seen her match a remarkable record set by Serena Williams over 20 years ago. The American is into the final in Riyadh after a dominant performance over Sabalenka.
Gauff overcame a below-par display against Barbora Krejcikova in her final group match and produced a much better showing against the US Open champion. The 20-year-old battled through a gruelling first set and stormed through the second – eventually winning 7-6 6-3.
Her triumph means she has now matched a feat held by tennis icon Williams for more than two decades. Williams won 22 matches against former Grand Slam champions by the time she turned 21.
What makes Gauff matching that achievement all the more spectacular is that she does not turn 21 until March. She therefore has plenty of time to break the record and then extend it by quite some distance.
Gauff recorded her 21st victory over a previous Grand Slam champion against Iga Swiatek on Tuesday. Had she beaten Krejcikova on Thursday, she would now be the outright holder of the record Williams held for so long.
To add to the accolades, the 2023 US Open champion has become the youngest woman to reach the championship match at the WTA Finals since 2010.
“I’m happy with how I played. I know going against Aryna it’s always going to be tough,” Gauff said after beating Sabalenka.
“I just tried to stay in it. She’s world No. 1 for a reason. I’m just happy with how I played today.”
Gauff will face the in-form Qinwen Zheng in the Saudi showdown. Zheng became the first Chinese player – man or woman – to win 50 matches in a single season when she defeated Krejcikova 6-3 7-5 earlier today.
“She’s playing great tennis,” Gauff said of the 22-year-old. “Just playing confident tennis will help give me the best shot at winning. I’m not really nervous to be honest. I always consider year-end Finals just a plus. Being here is a reward for the season that I had.”
Gauff has overcome some patchy form to reach the WTA Finals showpiece event. Her performances dipped during the summer and she suffered an underwhelming defence of her US Open title – losing in the fourth round to countrywoman Emma Navarro.
But a recent coaching change has coincided with some improved displays and she won the China Open in October. The Georgia-born star is ranked third in the world.
