Coco Gauff’s remarkable run at the 2024 WTA Finals came to a disappointing end after she lost her final round-robin match to Barbora Krejcikova in a tense encounter on the hard courts of Riyadh. While Gauff had already secured her semi-final spot before stepping onto the court, the stakes for Krejcikova were much higher. A win was her only path to advancement, and she delivered when it mattered most, ousting Gauff with a 7-5, 6-4 victory.
The WTA Finals, known for its round-robin format, offers both drama and intrigue, especially in the final matches when players are jockeying for position in the semi-finals. Gauff entered the match with a perfect 2-0 record in her group, having won her first two round-robin matches in straight sets. With her spot in the semi-finals already secured, the American was playing more for the honor of finishing atop her group and to secure vital ranking points. However, Krejcikova, with a 1-1 record heading into the match, had everything to play for. A win would not only earn her a semi-final berth but also eliminate Iga Swiatek, who had a chance to qualify despite finishing with a 2-1 record in the tournament.
### A Critical Showdown
While Gauff’s position in the tournament was secure, the match was crucial for both Krejcikova and Swiatek. The Polish star had already won two of her three round-robin matches but still faced the possibility of missing out on the semis depending on the outcome of Gauff’s match. If Krejcikova defeated Gauff, she would finish second in the group, securing a spot in the semi-finals while sending Swiatek home, despite the latter’s two victories.
As for Gauff, her motivation wasn’t solely about Swiatek’s elimination. The 20-year-old had much to play for beyond the points and prize money, as she could have a significant impact on the tournament’s final outcome. However, her recent record against Swiatek, which stood at 2-11 before the match, suggested that the American had little desire to aid in the Polish star’s exit, no matter how the cards fell.
It was clear from the start that conditions in Riyadh, where the tournament was being held for the first time, were proving challenging for all players. The heavy humidity and the intensity of the heat added an extra layer of difficulty, especially in the later rounds of matches. Gauff herself mentioned in post-match comments that the playing conditions were tough, and it showed in her performance during this match.
### A Shaky Start for Gauff
From the very first games of the match, Gauff appeared to struggle with the conditions. She was the first to be broken, finding herself down 2-3 early in the first set. Krejcikova, a seasoned competitor who has won multiple Grand Slam doubles titles and a singles major at the 2021 French Open, held steady on serve, and at 5-4, she was poised to serve for the set.
However, Gauff wasn’t ready to go down without a fight. She broke Krejcikova’s serve, leveling the set at 5-5, and managed to hold her own service game to put the pressure back on the Czech player. But as soon as the set seemed destined for a tiebreak, Gauff was broken once again, falling behind 5-6. With Krejcikova serving for the set, the pressure mounted on Gauff, and despite having four break points to salvage the set, she failed to convert any of them. Krejcikova, on the other hand, was clinical with her opportunities, needing just one set point to seal the first set 7-5.
### Krejcikova Closes the Door
The second set saw more of the same. Gauff had break chances early, but once again, she was unable to capitalize. Her inability to convert on break points, particularly in the first few games of the second set, would prove to be her undoing. Krejcikova, ever the opportunist, seized her lone break point in the ninth game of the set, going up 5-4 and putting herself in position to serve for the match. Gauff, despite a spirited effort, could not recover. She had four chances to break back, but like in the first set, her record on break points was abysmal. She converted just one of 12 break point opportunities during the match, an inefficiency that ultimately cost her dearly.
Krejcikova, now on the cusp of a semi-final spot, served with confidence, closing out the match 6-4 to complete her comeback victory. The win not only secured her advancement to the semi-finals but also eliminated Swiatek from contention, despite the Pole’s two victories. It was a cruel twist of fate for Swiatek, who, despite performing well in her matches, found herself unable to escape the tiebreaker scenarios that the round-robin format can sometimes create.
### Krejcikova Reflects on Her Career
Following her triumph, Krejcikova expressed her delight at reaching the semi-finals of the WTA Finals, a feat she described as “unimaginable” prior to the tournament. She was clearly overjoyed at the opportunity to play on the biggest stage in women’s tennis, and she took a moment to reflect on her career, including her breakthrough Wimbledon title. “The Wimbledon victory is definitely the highest point of my career so far,” Krejcikova said. “Being here and being able to qualify for the finals, reaching the semis is something unimaginable before this tournament. I’m really proud of myself. I’m looking forward to the new challenges.”
Her journey from a rising star to one of the most dangerous players in women’s tennis has been one of persistence, and this victory at the WTA Finals is a significant milestone in her career.
### The Semi-Finals Matchups
With Krejcikova’s win, the semi-final matchups for the 2024 WTA Finals are now set. As the winner of the Orange Group, Krejcikova will face the runner-up from the Purple Group, Chinese teenager Qinwen Zheng, who has impressed many with her powerful game and maturity beyond her years. On the other side of the draw, Gauff’s group-stage performance secured her second-place finish in the Orange Group, which means she will face the winner of the Purple Group, the world No. 1, Aryna Sabalenka, in a highly anticipated showdown.
For Gauff, the tournament may have ended in disappointment, but her performances earlier in the round-robin stages are a sign of her continued development as one of the sport’s brightest talents. While her defeat to Krejcikova will sting, Gauff has proven she can compete with the best in the world, and there is no doubt that she will be a major contender for titles in the seasons to come.
### Conclusion
In the end, Krejcikova’s determined performance and Gauff’s missed opportunities were the defining factors in this crucial round-robin match at the 2024 WTA Finals. Krejcikova advances to the semi-finals, where she will face Qinwen Zheng, while Gauff heads home, having already achieved a career-best performance at this prestigious tournament. For Krejcikova, the win is not only a step toward potential glory at the WTA Finals but also a personal achievement in what has already been a memorable year for the Czech star.