RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Coco Gauff defeated top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka on Friday to arrange a showdown with Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen within the ultimate of the WTA Finals.
Gauff generated six break factors to Sabalenka’s 4 within the 7-6 (4), 6-3 victory and constructed on early momentum within the opening set’s tiebreak that she carried by to the second set.
She’s the youngest participant at 20 to make the ultimate on the WTA Finals since Caroline Wozniacki in 2010.
Zheng earlier defeated Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova 6-3, 7-5 to guide her place in Saturday’s ultimate.
Zheng continued her exceptional season by reaching the decider in her first look. The Chinese language participant has gained 31 of her 36 matches since Wimbledon, greater than anybody else on the tour.
Zheng struck 9 aces as she defeated a tired-looking Krejcikova in 1 hour, 40 minutes.
