Sabalenka beats Gauff to reach WTA Finals last four
Aryna Sabalenka roared past Coco Gauff to avenge her French Open final defeat and secure her place in the WTA Finals last four alongside Jessica Pegula.
Sabalenka, Gauff and Pegula went into Thursday’s matches in Riyadh knowing only two of them would progress from the Stefanie Graf Group.
American Pegula won 6-2 6-3 against already-eliminated Jasmine Paolini, meaning a straight-set win for defending champion Gauff would have knocked world number one Sabalenka out.
Gauff also had the statistical edge, having come out on top in their previous meeting at Roland Garros in June – with Sabalenka putting in a performance she later described as the “worst final I ever played”.
Sabalenka was wayward at the start but rallied to beat the American 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 and top the group with a 100% record.
She will play Amanda Anisimova on Friday in a repeat of September’s US Open final, which Belarusian Sabalenka won, while Pegula takes on Elena Rybakina.
”We always have great battles. It’s enjoyable playing against her because I know it’s going to be a great fight,” Sabalenka, 27, told Sky Sports.
”Whenever I focus on myself and what I have to do, without getting over-emotional and just staying in the zone – that’s the key for me.”
Gauff’s exit means there is guaranteed to be a first-time WTA Finals champion on Saturday.
Source: BBC
