RIYADH (AFP) – World number three Coco Gauff and number seven Zheng Qinwen will square off in the championship match of the WTA Finals in Riyadh after claiming impressive victories in the semis on Friday.
The 20-year-old Gauff knocked out world number one Aryna Sabalenka 7-6(7/4), 6-3 to become the youngest player to reach the final at the season-ending championships since Caroline Wozniacki in 2010.
Zheng, a gold medallist in singles at the Olympic Games this year, reached the final on her debut appearance at the season-ending showpiece with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova.
Gauff improved to 5-4 head-to-head against Sabalenka, and was the more stable player in their semi-final, as she saved nine of 13 break points throughout the match.
“I’m happy with the way I played. I know against Aryna, she’s always going to be a tough match. She’s world number one for a reason,” the 2023 US Open champion said.
Gauff beat Zheng in their sole previous meeting, on clay in Rome earlier this season, and the American used to be coached by Pere Riba, who currently works with the Chinese player.
“She’s playing great tennis,” Gauff said of Zheng.
“Just playing confident tennis will help me and give me the best shot at winning. I’m not really nervous. Year-end to me has always been a bonus and being here is already a privilege.”
With a combined age of 42 years, the match-up between Zheng and Gauff will feature the youngest combined age for the two finalists at the event since Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams in 2004.
