Barbora Krejcikova saved an incredible 11 of 12 break points to beat Coco Gauff 7-5 6-4 to advance to the semi-finals at the WTA Finals in Riyadh as the Orange Group champion and dispose of defending champion Iga Swiatek.
Gauff is guaranteed a place in the semis, but world No. 1 Swiatek needs the American to beat eighth-seeded Czech Krejcikova who needs a win to advance.
Swiatek had produced a ruthless performance to dismantle Daria Kasatkina in the previous match, but her chances of progressing depended on the second match, and her luck was not there as Wimbledon champion Krejcikova struggled to win against Gauff, whose place in the last four was assured. .
All three women finished the group stage with two wins from three matches, but Krejcikova, the tournament’s lowest-ranked player, topped the pool thanks to the best set percentage, with Swiatek missing out.
Krejcikova will face Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen in the last four on Friday, while Gauff meets world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.
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Krejcikova expects her WTA Finals semi-final against Qinwen Zheng to be ‘extremely difficult’ but she will not lose.
“It’s definitely a big win for me,” the 28-year-old said in a courtside interview.
“I am very happy with the way I played. To be able to qualify for the Final and also to reach the semi-final is something that I could not have imagined before this tournament. I am proud of myself and I am looking forward to new challenges.”
Krejcikova’s surprise Wimbledon win was the high point of what has been a largely disappointing season for her.
But she has risen to the occasion in Saudi Arabia, bouncing back from a three-set loss to Swiatek in the opening match to beat Jessica Pegula and Gauff.
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Krejcikova was all smiles even asking the referee if the new ball came straight out of the can!
‘Gauff looks uncomfortable on the outside’
Sky Sports’ Laura Robson
“If you look at this week as a bonus and treat each match as it happens … he seems to have the right mindset. There is no pressure and no expectations for him.
“The first set for me was a bit up and down in terms of level. I just thought that Coco gave too many unforced forehand errors.
“What they did well against Iga was to step back and Coco was tight enough to stay on the baseline, but you forget that Krejcikova’s natural shot has a good height at the net and Krejcikova was able to exploit it.
“Gauff looks uncomfortable there.”
Swiatek dominated Kasatkina in the final round match
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Highlights of Iga Swiatek vs. Daria Kasatkina at the WTA Finals
Former world No.1 Swiatek showed incredible intensity as she dominated substitute Kasatkina after the injured Pegula withdrew after losing the first two games.
She completed a 6-1 6-0 hammering in a match that ended in 51 minutes – the shortest match in the last eight years at the WTA Finals.
“It was a pretty solid performance from me. I’m happy that I did everything to win and I’m glad I have two wins in the group now,” said Pole.
“I felt like I was playing the ball well and taking the right shots to play faster and solid.
“Thank you for the support. It means a lot and everywhere I hear this (crowd shouts ‘Iga’).
“I haven’t played for a long time and I miss this support.”
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Swiatek said his ‘solidity and discipline’ led to his win against alternative Kasatkina.
She won 51 of her incredible 74 points and broke Kasatkina’s serve five out of six times.
That gave Swiatek a 2-1 record in group play and made her a keen observer of the second singles match between Gauff and Krejcikova.
When he was informed that his result against Kasatkina had no bearing on whether he would qualify for the semi-finals during a press conference, Swiatek replied: “You mean… it doesn’t matter?
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In the press conference after the match, Swiatek was confused after learning that the result of the match had no effect on his chances of qualifying for the semifinals.
Tale of the Tape
Coach Fissette while working with Swiatek
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Swiatek coach Wim Fissette highlights the room for improvement
Swiatek hired Belgian tennis coach Wim Fissette last month after ending a three-year partnership with Tomasz Wiktorowski.
The 44-year-old has previously worked with Kim Clijsters, Simona Halep, Victoria Azarenka, Angelique Kerber and Naomi Osaka.
“There is still a lot of room for improvement. I think the forehand can be heavier and faster and bring variety to the game,” said the world-renowned coach.
“He’s very difficult to play because he plays with a lot of spin and bounces off your racket and I think if he’s in a hurry, he’s trying to play faster than his opponent which is not his game. I think he has to stay true to himself.
“I think what Iga does well is to go forward, so the ball is short, he is very quick in the field and back, but I think you use your feet more to shoot him. heavier, I think that his physicality can improve.
“I mean, I’m just starting now, but I don’t think you have to tell him: ‘Come on Iga, come on, let’s push harder or try to be stronger’.
“Looking forward to the pre-season, I’m happy and it’s an opportunity to change. I hope 2025 will be a good year.”
What’s next for Sky Sports Tennis?
- WTA Finals Riyadh – (November 2-9)
- Belgrade Open – ATP 250 (November 3-9)
- Moselle Open, Metz – ATP 250 (November 3-9 – Cameron Norrie in semi-final action)
- Nitto ATP Finals, Turin – (November 10-17)
