Coco Gauff delivered a breathtaking performance to knock out World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, securing her place in her first-ever WTA Finals championship match. The American teenager, who had faced disappointments in previous years at the prestigious season-ending event, showed incredible poise and resilience, particularly on her serve, while capitalizing on an off-day from the Belarusian. Gauff triumphed in straight sets, 7-6(4), 6-3, to reach the final, where she will face China’s Zheng Qinwen.
This victory is a significant milestone for Gauff, who has endured her share of setbacks at the WTA Finals in recent years. In 2022, she was eliminated at the round-robin stage after three consecutive losses, and in 2023, despite making it to the semifinals, she was defeated by her fellow American Jessica Pegula. However, 2024 marks a breakthrough for the 20-year-old, who ends the season ranked World No. 3, regardless of the outcome of Saturday’s final.
Gauff’s performance against Sabalenka was a testament to her growth as a player. She entered the match with a clear game plan and executed it flawlessly, particularly in managing the pressure of playing the World No. 1. Sabalenka, who had been in stellar form throughout the tournament, was uncharacteristically off her game, especially on key points. Despite this, the Belarusian still managed to raise her level in some crucial moments, but Gauff’s focus and steady play ultimately carried her through.
### A Bumpy Start, Then a Gauff Masterclass
The match began with both players showing signs of rust, with uncharacteristic errors coming from both sides. The early exchanges were filled with breaks of serve, as Sabalenka and Gauff traded breaks in the third and fourth games, signaling that both players were not fully in their rhythm. They each faced multiple break points in the first half of the set, and neither could build any significant momentum. However, as the set wore on, both players settled in, with Gauff’s serve becoming a key weapon, and Sabalenka managing to hold serve more consistently.
Despite the early struggles, it was clear that both players were capable of great tennis, and the match began to take on a high-stakes intensity. Sabalenka raised her level under pressure, breaking Gauff in the 11th game to give herself a chance to serve for the set. But Gauff, as she has done so often this season, was unfazed and fought back immediately, pushing the set into a tiebreak.
In the tiebreak, Gauff displayed exceptional mental strength and composure, racing to a 6-1 lead. Sabalenka showed flashes of her usual firepower, saving three set points in an attempt to claw her way back into the contest, but a critical forehand error on an open court proved costly. Gauff, who had maintained her focus throughout the tense exchange, took full advantage of Sabalenka’s slip-up, closing out the first set 7-6(4) after an hour and a bit of play.
### Sabalenka’s Struggles and Gauff’s Response
The momentum was clearly in Gauff’s favor as the players took a short break. Sabalenka, looking frustrated and perhaps mentally shaken by the loss of the first set, decided to take a toilet break, while Gauff remained on the court, practicing her serve. Upon returning, Sabalenka struggled to find her rhythm, and Gauff was quick to seize the opportunity. The American broke Sabalenka’s serve in the third game of the second set, putting herself firmly in control.
Sabalenka, a three-time Grand Slam champion, started the second set with a strong service game, holding firm early on. However, her efforts proved to be short-lived. Gauff quickly surged ahead, taking control of the match with incredible determination. Over the next few games, Gauff won 11 of the next 12 points, breaking Sabalenka twice in quick succession to establish a commanding 4-1 lead. Sabalenka’s confidence continued to erode, and despite a valiant effort to fight back, it seemed as though she could not find a way to stop the American’s relentless march toward victory.
In a rare moment of resilience, Sabalenka mounted a small comeback, digging deep to recover one of the breaks. In the longest game of the match, she battled through 20 points and saved up to eight break points, ultimately holding serve. However, this moment of recovery would prove fleeting. Gauff quickly broke back, reaffirming her dominance on the court.
Gauff was then presented with the opportunity to serve for the match, but the pressure of closing it out caused a minor wobble. She failed to convert on her first chance to seal the win, but in the following game, she broke Sabalenka once more to clinch the victory. With a final break in the ninth game of the second set, Gauff closed out the match with a 7-6(4), 6-3 scoreline, sending her into the final of the 2024 WTA Finals for the first time in her career.
### Gauff’s Mental Strength and Sabalenka’s Missed Opportunities
Gauff’s performance was a demonstration of her mental toughness and maturity, especially in a high-pressure situation against one of the best players in the world. While Sabalenka was often left frustrated by her inconsistency, Gauff remained calm and focused, refusing to let her opponent’s unforced errors dictate the match. Gauff’s serving, in particular, was exemplary. She was able to serve at crucial moments, winning an impressive 88% of her first serves compared to Sabalenka’s 45%. This stark contrast in serving percentages made it difficult for Sabalenka to gain any momentum, especially when Gauff managed to stay consistent in her rallies and capitalize on every opportunity.
For Sabalenka, it was a case of missed chances. Despite having the tools to win, her inability to convert key points, especially in the tiebreak and throughout the second set, ultimately cost her the match. The World No. 1 had been playing at an extremely high level throughout the tournament, but on this occasion, Gauff’s resilience and consistency overshadowed her.
### Looking Ahead to the Final
Gauff will now face Zheng Qinwen, the rising Chinese star, in the championship match. The final is set to be an exciting showdown between two young and hungry players. Gauff, who has shown immense growth in 2024, will be looking to secure her first WTA Finals title, while Zheng will be aiming to continue her breakout season and claim the biggest title of her career. No matter the result, Gauff’s victory over Sabalenka marks an important moment in her career, and her composure under pressure proves that she has what it takes to compete with the very best.
With her first-ever WTA Finals final berth secured, Gauff has firmly established herself as one of the most exciting and resilient players on the WTA Tour. Regardless of the outcome on Saturday, the future looks incredibly bright for the 20-year-old American, who continues to demonstrate that she is more than ready to take on the biggest challenges in tennis.