Coco Gauff defeated world No. 2 Iga Swiatek 6-3, 6-4 to secure her spot in the 2024 WTA Finals semi-finals.
After her win, Gauff said: “Despite our head-to-head, I had a lot of confidence going in… I felt like I was playing great tennis, and even when I was playing a bit sloppy, the games were still going to deuce.”
She added: “That gave me confidence and I knew that if I could just find my game, that I would have the chance to close out the match… The first set I think I had three straight games in a row with breakpoints, I did not let that discourage me. I knew I was going to get it eventually.”
Highlights of the match
Gauff and Swiatek exchanged the first two games in the first set.
In the third game the world No. 3 had the opportunity to break her opponent, but Swiatek fought back from a 40-30 disadvantage to hold.
When the set was tied at 3-3, Gauff held serve and then broke her opponent to take a 5-3 lead. The 2024 French Open winner took a 1-0 lead in the match.
Moreover, Gauff won the first game of the second set by holding service after saving two break points. After making it 1-1, Swiatek broke Gauff and took a 2-1 lead in the second set by taking advantage of a string of double-faults. However, Gauff countered with a break of her own to halt Swiatek’s momentum and tie the second set at 2-2.
In order to regain her lead, Swiatek held serve in the sixth and then broke. But Gauff held serve to move and bring the score back to level with another stunning break to secure her win.
In all of their 13 matches, Gauff only won twice against Swiatek.
Source: Eurosport