IN AN incredible upset, world number three Coco Gauff managed to stop top seed and official year end world number one Aryna Sabalenka to reach the WTA Finals decider in Riyadh. The young American reversed the result from the Wuhan semi-finals – where she served 21 double faults and suffered a three-set defeat – to win 7-6 6-3 in an hour and 49 minutes.

Gauff only served two double faults this time – and three aces – with Sabalenka committing three double faults and not serving a single ace. It was a tough watch for serving purists, with both players struggling at times, but the key difference was Gauff’s 58 per cent first serve point winning percentage compared to Sabalenka’s 44 per cent.

Both players only converted 48 per cent of their second serve points, and there was a combined 24 break point chances created across the course of the match. In the end, the extra two breaks – six in total – for Gauff proved the difference in the second set, to close it out after a tight first set tiebreaker that she also won 7-4.

“I’m happy with the way I played, she’s world number one for a reason,” Gauff said post-match.

“I’m not really nervous (about the final) to be honest and the year-end I see it as just a plus and being here is a reward for the season I’ve had.”

In-form Zheng continues incredible season

WINNING a massive 31 of 36 matches since Wimbledon, Olympic Gold Medallist, Palermo and Tokyo champion and Wuhan runner-up Qinwen Zheng eyes an even bigger prize at Riyadh. The 22-year-old advanced through to the WTA Finals decider in her first appearance at the event, defeating Czech Barbora Krejcikova in straight sets, 6-3 7-5.

Zheng needed an hour and 40 minutes to wrap up the match, overcoming her more experienced opponent through nine aces and a massive 78 per cent first serve success rate. Zheng still only went at 56 per cent efficiency on her first serve, but was marginally higher off her second serve as well (48 to 42 per cnet), while Krejcikova only won 63 per cent of her first serve points.

Throughout the course of the match, Zheng smashed 23 winners to her opponent’s 13, but impressive had five less unforced errors as well (24-29) keeping economical with her power. Having been on a tear lately, Zheng was asked about if her recent form felt real.

“I feel everything is real,” she said post-match. “I know after Wimbledon I had a big struggle. I did not perform well at Roland Garros. I did not perform well at Wimbledon. I think everything’s for a reason.

“After that, even though I was the Olympic champion, I tried to keep my mentality stable, don’t get relaxed. Seems like it’s working. I still keep the motivations pretty high.”