Coco Gauff overcame 17 double-faults and came back after being a game away from elimination at the WTA Finals on Friday, moving into the semi-finals after beating Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova 5-7, 7-6 (4), 6-3 in their round-robin match in Cancun, Mexico.
“Mental toughness is the biggest thing I’m pleased with,” Gauff said. “That was a tough match. She’s not an easy player. Not easy conditions. And I stayed in there, every point, just fighting.”
Gauff will face her good friend – and doubles partner – Jessica Pegula on Saturday in an all-American match with a berth in the final at stake. The other semi-final at the season-ending championship will feature world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka against the woman she replaced atop the rankings in September, Iga Swiatek.
Swiatek beat Ons Jabeur 6-1, 6-2 to win her group, while Sabalenka reached the semi-finals following her 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 victory over Elena Rybakina. Sabalenka finished second in her group, behind the unbeaten Pegula.
Today’s order of play (UK time unless stated)
Jessica Pegula vs Coco Gauff
Aryna Sabalenka vs Iga Swiatek
Results
October 29
Jessica Pegula beat Elena Rybakina 7-5, 6-2
Aryna Sabalenka beat Maria Sakkari 6-0, 6-1
October 30
Iga Swiatek beat Marketa Vondrousova 7-6 (7-3), 6-0
Coco Gauff beat Ons Jabeur 6-0, 6-1
October 31
Elena Rybakina beat Maria Sakkari 6-0, 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (7-2)
Jessica Pegula beat Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 6-3
November 1
Iga Swiatek beat Coco Gauff 6-0, 7-5
Ons Jabeur beat Marketa Vondrousova 6-4, 6-3
November 2
Jessica Pegula beat Maria Sakkari 6-3, 6-2
November 3
Coco Gauff beat Marketa Vondrousova 5-7, 7-6 (4), 6-3
Aryna Sabalenka beat Elena Rybakina 6-2, 3-6, 6-3
Iga Swiatek beat Ons Jabeur 6-1, 6-2
How to watch the WTA Finals on TV in the UK
Amazon Prime Video is showing the tournament this year with coverage starting at 9.55pm.
How to watch the WTA Finals on TV in the US
The US broadcasting rights to show the tournament this year belong to Tennis Channel with coverage starting at 3.30pm (ET).
When is the final?
The tournament started on October 29 and ends with the final on November 5.
Where are the WTA Finals being held?
The tournament is taking place in Cancun, Mexico. The location was only confirmed in early September, which prompted Aryna Sabalenka to complain about the poor organisation of the tournament.
Who is competing in the singles?
Karolina Muchova was the eighth player to qualify but withdrew due to a right wrist injury. She was replaced in the singles draw by first alternate Maria Sakkari.
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Aryna Sabalenka
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Every Swiatek
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Coco Gauff
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Elena Rybakina
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Jessica Pegula
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Marketa Vondrousova
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Our Jabeur
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Maria Sakkari
What are the WTA Finals singles groups?
Bacalar Group
1. Aryna Sabalenka
4. Elena Rybakina
5. Jessica Pegula
8. Maria Sakkari
Chetumal Group
2. Every Swiatek
3. Coco Gauff
6. Our Jabeur
7. Marketa Vondrousova
What is the format?
The tournament is played in a round-robin format with eight players split into two groups of four. The top two from each group will advance to the semi-finals with the player finishing first from each group facing the second-placed finisher from the other.
What is the WTA Finals prize money?
The total WTA Finals prize pool is £7,423,550. Players are awarded a set amount of points/prize money for playing each match, plus additional points and prize money for each win. If a player goes unbeaten and wins the title, they can win £2,494,254.
Which British players are involved?
No British players are competing in the singles or doubles.
Who was last year’s champion?
France’s Caroline Garcia won the season-ending event last year. She beat Sabalenka in the final, 7-6 (4), 6-4, to become the second French woman to win after Amelie Mauresmo in 2005.
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